The Old Year

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

As the year is coming to an end, it is necessary for all of us to keep in mind that we are now Blessed with one more year in our physical lifespan in this earthly life.  We also need to remind ourselves that we have one year less remaining in our lives, because our physical life on earth, has been Fixed long before we were born.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

كُلُّ نَفۡسٍ۬ ذَآٮِٕقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ‌ۗ ... (١٨٥) 

Every soul shall have a taste of death ... (Surah Ali ‘Imran:185) 

At the end of every year, as a matter of fact, at the end of every day, the true believer is required to reflect upon the way as to how the precious Gift of life was managed.  Was it done properly, in accordance with the Guidance from Allah (s.w.t.) and His Rasul (s.a.w.), or otherwise? 

Perhaps one can contemplate on the following: Was it a beneficial and productive year; or was it a year of losses?  Were we able to observe our religious duties willingly; or did we falter and fail to be guided by the principles and teachings of Islam?  Did we stay conscious of the fact that one day we are going to leave all our material belongings and connections behind us as we move on the journey in life?  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

مَا عِندَكُمۡ يَنفَدُ‌ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ۬‌... (٩٦) 

What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will Endure ... (Surah an-Nahl:96) 

We need to constantly remind ourselves that physical death is not the end of the journey.  As we are all liable to make mistakes due to moral and spiritual imperfection, we must take advantage of Allah’s (s.w.t.) Kindness towards us.  He does not want to punish us for our wrong doings, so He Says that He is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.  He, therefore, Wants us to acknowledge our faults and beg Him for Forgiveness. He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

...‌ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِينَ (٢٢٢) 

... for Allah Loves those who turn to Him constantly, and He Loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Surah al-Baqarah:222) 

Every day that dawns upon us comes with its challenges.  This is because there are two pathways before every one of us, and we are supposed to constantly choose what is beneficial to us in both the worlds.  One of the pathways may appear to be attractive but will lead finally to torment and torture; while the other may appear to be steep and difficult, but it leads to a beautiful garden. 

No matter how hard we may try to do good, we can still be liable for Allah’s (s.w.t.) Punishment; as He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

وَلَوۡ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلۡمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيۡہَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ۬ ‌... (٦١) 

If Allah were to Punish men for their wrongdoing, He would not leave, on the (earth), a single living creature ... (Surah an-Nahl:61) 

It becomes necessary therefore for every person to try and do as much good as possible, as, surely, good deeds annul ill deeds: 

سُوۡرَةُ هُود

... إِنَّ ٱلۡحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذۡهِبۡنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ‌ۚ ... (١١٤) 

… for those things that are good, remove those that are evil … (Surah Hud:114) 

In addition to doing good, one must make it a daily practice to beg the Merciful Lord for Forgiveness.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

۞ وَسَارِعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ مَغۡفِرَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرۡضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ (١٣٣) 

Be quick in the race for Forgiveness from your Lord and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, Prepared for the righteous ― (Surah Ali ‘Imran:133) 

May Allah (s.w.t.) Forgive us for our faults, mistakes and sins; and may He Bless us for all the good that we did.


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