As Muslims, we should ideally and additionally be setting goals for not only our material well-being, but more importantly for our spiritual self.
By Hafiz Asadullah Khan
The Islamic new year has recently begun and people generally ponder about on how to approach this New Islamic Year and their work, health and relationships .
In reality we don’t need a New Year or special occasion to make a resolution for doing or achieving good. It can be done instantaneously!
Common resolutions include cutting down on chocolate/weight, quit smoking, getting in shape, etc. A lot involves benefits to the health and/or improving lifestyle. Others include giving more to charity, being closer to family which boosts a personal level of satisfaction.
As Muslims, we should ideally and additionally be setting goals for not only our material well-being, but more importantly for our spiritual self. That is not to say that we should not set goals for this material life, by all means go ahead, but let us not forget the journey that lies ahead once our eyes close from this temporary abode.
Yes, set high goals both for our Spiritual and Material progress.
The Qur’an says: “Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come and keep us safe from the torment of the Fire” (Quran:Al-Baqarah:201).
Allah mentions in the Quran; “”¦And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me..”(Quran 51:56)
Five Easy Tips To Get You Started!
Reach for the Stars! Aim High:
Prayer is the most essential ingredient for achievement. Ask Allah for the best, in fact ask for everything good. Don’t leave out anything. Allah, The Most Wise, says: “Invoke Me, (and ask Allah for anything) I will respond to your (invocation/dua)”¦” (Quran: 40: 60)
Eliminate Transgressions:
How can we expect Allah to grant us good if we continuously sin and transgress? To get the help of Allah, we need to remove sin from our lives. We are not perfect and as humans we often err. But the least we can do to show our sincerity to God is to intend to abandon all forms of sins from our lives.
“O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, despair not of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an: 39:53)
Make Spiritual Life the Bigger Circle
Until now we may have made our material desires the Bigger Circle in our life and Islam, the inner Smaller Circle that occupies a very small insignificant place in the Bigger Circle. Now resolve to make Islam the Bigger Circle and make everything else fit into the Bigger Circle. If it does not conform to Islamic values, no matter what it may be, leave it out of the Bigger Circle!
Set Specific Goals:
Leaving our intentions vague and general is not wise. Make specific intentions and set targets. Cover each aspect of your life which you would like to improve upon and set targets that are easily attainable. Don’t leave it open ended. He who fails to plan, plans to fail!
Be Extensive and Systematic:
Yes, let the list be extensive, realistic and systematic. Dedicate time with family to make these resolutions. Make your family part of it and set goals together. In addition, it helps to write down intentions and to regularly review those intentions in order to achieve those commitments.
Finally the most important resolution is that “My Creator Allah must be pleased with me. So whatever I desire, do, say, want, must be only to please my Lord”!
May God make this Islamic Year 1438, the most spiritually rewarding year for humanity and the world!
(The writer is Founder and President of Global Quran Academy, Bangalore. [email protected]
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