السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 30th December 2020.
My chosen topic today is ‘New Year’s Day’.
As we come to the end of the year 2020, we are about to enter 2021 ,اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ. As one year ends, another one starts. Millions of people across the globe will be congregating around midnight on the 31st to welcome in the new year. Let’s stop and ponder for a moment.
What is this celebration all about? What is the joy and happiness? What have we achieved?
With 6 billion people living in this world, there is one definite thing that unites all of us. It doesn’t matter which religion you follow, which country you live in, what background you are from, what your status is, etc.
The whole universe is united in the belief in ‘death’ or ‘departure from this world’. If you came into this world with a lifespan of say 100, each year that passes by decreases your age by a year. You are now one year closer to your death and departure from this world. So what is the happiness and celebration all about?
Leaving the non-Muslims to one side, if you are a practising Muslim with the zeal and passion of meeting Almighty Allāh as soon as possible, then fine; I can totally understand your happiness and joy. However, ask yourself if that is the case. Are you ready to meet Almighty Allāh?
Similar to celebrating birthdays which has also become very common amongst Muslims today, think deeply about such foolish actions. In layman’s terms, if you had 100 pounds and you spent one pound every year, would you be celebrating or crying each time your one pound decreases?
What really amazes me is that the older the person gets, the more he celebrates. Why? What’s wrong with you? No, my brothers and sisters. These are times for reflection and repentance.
Turn towards The Almighty and let tears flow down your cheeks when the clock strikes 12 on the 31st. Another year of your life has passed. Will you be around at the same time next year? This year out of all years, how many of your near and dear ones are not with you anymore? In an unprecedented year, more deaths took place than average.
Let’s make this New Year, a New Year in reality, for strengthening our connection with our Creator.
Almighty Allāh grant us all the correct understanding of life.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
Supplementary Resources
The New Year – Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Muḥammad Saleem Dhorāt Ḥafizahullāh
A New Year’s Resolution: Taqwā, Tawbah & Good Character – Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Muḥammad Saleem Dhorāt Ḥafizahullāh