“It’s a new year. And this year I hope to…”

Oh I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase before in some form or other. The new year brings new dreams and hope, a new leaf for many, and well, some just stick to their same old ways, as nothing changes, in fact things only seem to get worse as the pit they dug for themselves gets ever deeper.

We as muslims do not adopt the Gregorian calendar, nor do we celebrate its new year, or any new year for that matter, nor do we single out this specific time for ‘new year’s resolutions.’ To engage in these activities would begin our downfall, for neither of these acts are linked to Islam, neither found in the Quran and Sunnah.

However, there is one small aspect which we are encouraged to do, year in and year out, and every day of the year. And that is to contemplate over our past deeds and seek to improve. A little resolution, never to return to sins, if you like.

It is reported Umar ibn Al Khattab said, “Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh your deeds, before they are weighed for you.”

We should reflect on ourselves, whenever possible, not just at the start of a new year. We should tally up our deeds, and measure what is for us and what is against us every day that we live.

Time flies, and every morning that you rise; death stares you in face. Before you know it, it comes to greet you, to take you on to meet your Lord; to face accountability, to see the scales weighed, to receive your books, to be punished or forgiven. All of this and more awaits on the other side of life.

But how often do we question ourselves? How often do we sit back and think; ‘to be better a better muslim, I need to start doing this, I need to improve that.’ Rarely. We live life forgetting our true purpose. We live life heedless of the inevitable fate awaiting us all.

Account for your deeds, before the Day of final Accounts, before your scales are weighed. Contemplate on your state as a muslim, are you reaching the heights of iman? Do you feel the sweetness of faith? Does your heart fly when you remember Allah? Or does your chest become constricted? And you your deeds are a heavy burden on your back?

And so, dear muslims, when all others are talking about their new year’s resolution, you should be contemplating your daily ambition, to please Allah. Life on earth does not end with death.

The Day of Regrets, the Day of Accounting, the Day of Recompense, when we will be paid in full for our deeds, is a long and tiresome day, but not so for those who are under the shade of Allah, who have achieved His pleasure and tasted success.

To conclude, I leave you with two questions:

What have you done so far to please Allah?

What will you do to improve yourself, to become a better muslim?