Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam
“New year, new me” – as the saying goes.
Many of us use the new year as a time to reflect on the past year and see it as an opportunity to improve ourselves. Some may decide to start habits that benefit them: getting healthier, going to the gym, or buying running shoes in the longing of building momentum. Others may prefer to read more books and gain more knowledge.
When you think about it, reflecting, looking back, and motivating yourself to grow is actually not just a good thing, it’s very useful. And each year, this deep feeling, once submerged and buried deep, seems to return and resurface with renewed inspiration.
However … ah, yes, there’s always a but. How often do we actually stick to our New Year’s resolutions? For many, the motivation lasts only through January before it begins to lose momentum. Are we demanding too much of ourselves, or does our early-year craving simply wither and lag before it can carry us forward? While some do manage to stay consistent, many find themselves struggling to keep up.
The point I am getting at is that, in order to keep a resolution afloat, this act of reflection must become more frequent and more present in our daily lives. The well-known, or maybe not so well known, words of Hazrat Umarra, the second Khalifa of the Holy Prophetsa, should be ingrained in our minds: take account of yourselves before you are taken to account. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2459). As Muslims, the Holy Prophetsa taught to “cherish that which gives you benefit,” alluding to that which benefits you here and in the hereafter. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2664)
Thus, we are given a clear approach, a path to keep our zeal and sense of purpose alive and our compass straight. In our daily lives, technology has taken over. The world has become far too fast paced, often faster than our minds and bodies can comfortably manage. Because of this, there is indeed a weighty value in taking a step back each night, and reflecting on the day that has passed.
And you can likely see where this leads: journaling. Journaling is simply a structured form of reflection. As Muslims, it closely mirrors the practice of reviewing and examining our day, hoping to do better, earn more blessings, and serve humanity better the following day.
As Muslims, we know that the next day begins after Maghrib. This means that after the Maghrib prayer, as we begin to wind down from the day, we should also begin preparing ourselves for the day to come. For example, if one has plans for the early morning, the best time to prepare is the night before. And if you intend to wake up for tahajjud (pre-dawn voluntary prayers), it would be counterproductive to stay up late watching a movie or sitting in front of a screen.
Thus, when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, one should focus on things one can actually do consistently; actions that feel seamless in our daily lives but have a powerful, atomic habit impact over time.
As Muslims, rather than looking down at our phones, we can choose to look up. Look up at the sky and seek the signs of a living God. This year, as in years past, many questions have arisen in the minds of young people, and there are many who struggle to connect not only with God, but even with the very idea of a living God.
My response is that the world today is, in many ways, an ambush. It is designed to do exactly that. It keeps us busy, distracted and often leaves us without the time or, frankly the patience, to truly search for God. (Side note: In contrast, the azan has a beautiful way of waking us up from this trance and calling us to Allah, who is greater.)
Rather than wasting hours on our phones, we can take a shorts break (yes, pun intended) and use that time to become more intentional with how we live our days.
We can learn to be more attentive. Attentive in our prayers, present with our families, and present in moments that often pass unnoticed. Rather than romanticising in setting unrealistic goals, we can focus on strengthening what we already do: become more consistent in Salat, more sincere in our prayers and dealings with people, and more aware of God throughout the day.
This year has shown us how quickly viral trends catch on and how the youngsters, and really, all of us, follow them just to be part of something. Take, for example, the whole “6/7” thing among the youth. Most don’t even know what it means, yet everyone seems to be part of it.
I’m not here to scold youngsters; we only need to look back at our own youth to remember trends like planking, something people did without fully understanding it. I’m simply saying that viral trends often reveal, to those attentive, how people’s ability to think and act for themselves, or their cognitive capacity, is declining.
Why not reflect more and react less? In a world that pushes us to constantly react, we can opt to pause, reflect and respond with patience and intention.
Why not forgive more, especially when it can lead to better outcomes? Instead of carrying baggage of past hurts and conflicts, why not set that luggage down? You’ll feel lighter and be able to focus more on yourself. Give yourself a break. Just like you check in your luggage at the airport to make the trip easier, why not do the same for the journey of life?
Forgive more, for how can we seek God’s forgiveness while holding onto grudges against our fellow human beings?
Why not connect with the Quran? Not just by reading it, but by living it, using it as a guide for your soul?
And why not reflect every day, instead of waiting for the new year? Channel that energy daily, making reflection a part of your everyday life.
The new year doesn’t have to be about becoming someone new; it can be about returning to who you are meant to be.