How to best prepare for New Year within Islamic guidance?

As the Islamic year draws to a close, we find ourselves revising the past year and looking forward to a new beginning. Muslims worldwide follow the Islamic calendar, or the Hijri calendar, to celebrate and mark significant Islamic days.  Because Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar it calls us to a different rhythm than the Gregorian calendar where the new year is marked by the first of January. This Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month, of the Islamic calendar marks the end of 1445 years since the Prophet (PBUH) made the Hijra.

The blessed month, Muharram signals the start of the new Islamic year, prompting a time of reflection and renewal. Imam Hassan al-Basri wisely reminds us, “O son of Adam! you are nothing but a number of days whenever each day passes then a part of you has gone.”

As we close this Islamic year and anticipate the next, it's vital to assess our journey thus far:

• What are some things that you failed to do this year that you want to do next year?
• As a Muslim how has your relationship with our Creator strengthened?
• How do you seek to improve your character or other interpersonal goals and relationships?

 

List out these ideas, and the steps it would require to accomplish them so that you can visually see what's ahead of you and where do you stand. These reflections are crucial to get you answers so you can push for improvements in all aspects of all your lives.

Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram are part of Allah's plan in helping us emphasizing the importance of pure intentions and sacrificing. Both months are two of the four sacred months, and are especially conducive to seeking forgiveness (istighfar) and repentance (tawbah) they mark the beginning and end of the twelve months in the Islamic calendar.

How to establish good habits and ensure a productive new year:

1. Seek Forgiveness and Repentance: Use the sacredness of the days of Dhul Hijjah and upcoming Muharram to cleanse your heart and seek by increasing in dhikr, salah, and recitation of the Quran.
2. Reconcile with Others: Resolve any disputes or misunderstandings and aim to treat people how you want to be treated.

As prophet (PBUH) said:

 

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُزَحْزَحَ عَنْ النَّارِ وَيَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَلْتُدْرِكْهُ مَنِيَّتُهُ وَهُوَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْتِي إِلَى النَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْهِ

 

Whoever would love to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, let him meet his end with faith in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated.

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

As well as:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَوْحَى إِلَيَّ أَنْ تَوَاضَعُوا حَتَّى لَا يَبْغِيَ أَحَدٌ عَلَى أَحَدٍ وَلَا يَفْخَرَ أَحَدٌ عَلَى أَحَدٍ

Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another so that no one oppresses another or boasts to another.

 [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

 

 

1. Set Spiritual Goals: Continue to fast in Dhul-Hijjah as fasting expiates sins. Also, plan to fast on Ashura (the 10th day of Muharram) as it is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other prophets before him. Therefore, fasting on this day holds great rewards.

 

You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.

[2:183]

 

1. Increase Knowledge: Commit to learning as much as possible. Whether it's different subjects, Islam and self-help education, so that you can make well-rounded decisions for yourself as well as be a good Muslim.  

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ

Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.

[Sunan Ibn Mājah]

 

 

1. Increase in giving to others:

كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّ مِنْ الْمَعْرُوفِ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ

Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a cheerful face.

 [al-Tirmidhī]

 As we embark on journey of a new year, let’s remember that growth lies in enriching our knowledge, improving our deeds, and shedding negative habits. With still some days left in Dhul-Hijjah- let's make the most to prepare for sacred months ahead. As Muharram will be time of introspection and dedication as it is one of the four sacred months of the year. May Allah accept our intentions and actions in the coming year. Ameen. In these blessed months donate sadaqah and zakat as much as possible. As all good deeds are doubled in reward in Muharram.

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