Resolutions for the New Year and Beyond – Ustadh Amjad Tarsin & Sh. Faraz Rabbani
In the first week of the Hijri New Year, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadh Amjad Tarsin offer reflections and advise us on how to benefit from this occasion.
Ustadh Amjad reflects on the hijra of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace and its applicability in our own lives. He mentiones how the Islamic New Year marks a turning point for Islam, when the Prophet made hijra, or migrated, from his native city of Mecca to the city of Medina. Although that time period is over, we are still called upon to make a spiritual hijra, where we migrate and move ourselves away from heedlessness, and begin to move closer to Allah. Our guide on this Hijra is none other than our Prophet Muhammad.
He advises us to begin this year with a sincere intention to draw closer to the Prophet, and learn more about him. We should aim to learn about him in a way that perfects our relationships with our family and those around us, rather than just a dry list of facts. In fact, we should intent to try to emulate him in every one of our dailty tasks. When we do this, even our small actions can become acts of worship.
Finally, he advises to set spiritual goals for 1440 AH, by resolving to become a better person by the time 1441 comes around.
Next, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani encourages us not to be afraid of making resolutions, thinking that we are full of shortcomings. Rather, we should know that our faults are an opportunity for us to get closer to Allah by overcoming ourselves. We are not responsible for attaining success, rather we are responsible for making an effort.
He closes by speaking about the event of Karbala and the martyrdom of Hussein, and how his sacrifice teaches us about love and commitment to Allah.
