Ten New Year Resolutions For Muslims

[adik^manis 2]

Sumber: http://www.malaysiandigest.com/opinion/475312-ten-new-year-resolutions-for-muslims.html

Ten New Year Resolutions For Muslims

Muslims should renew their faith this Hijrah/Google ImagesMuslims should renew their faith this Hijrah/Google ImagesALL people agree that Planet Earth rotate on its axis the same way but a day that marks a New Year isn’t the same for everyone. 


In Malaysia, while everyone observe the January to December Gregorian calendar, other calendars, normally one based on race and creed, are also observed and celebrated. 

So it is normal for Malaysians to celebrate various New Years during the course of the Gregorian year, which falls on a different day of the month for people of different race and faith.

According to the Chinese lunisolar calendar (which observes the moon phase), the Lunar New Year normally takes place in February.

While the Sikh community celebrate Vaisakhi as a festival, some Hindus celebrate Vaisakhi as it marks the start of the New Year in April, according to the Hindu solar calendar.

As for the Malay Muslims in the country, the New Year is observed when the new Islamic calendar, the Takwim Hijrah, marks Awal Muharram, which is today.

It marks the start of the 1435 Hijrah lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days.

Muḥarram means "forbidden", so called because in Islamic history, battle was set aside (Haram) during this month. 

It is also a significant date marked on the calendar to commemorate the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina.

Awal Muharram is also the day where Muslims would reflect on their inner self and past deeds, and take a spiritual ‘migration’.

In Malaysia, Awal Muharram or Maal Hijrah is recognised as a public holiday.

But unlike the typical countdown clocks, balloons, fireworks, noise makers and party hat rituals the people of the world display when a new Gregorian calendar unfolds, Muslims celebrate the New Year by offering fasting, prayer and worship. 

On their New Year, Muslims would congregate for various religious gatherings, Quranic recitations, prayers and listening to sermons held at mosques or prayer halls (surau) - or involve themselves in other activities relevant to the celebration of Awal Muharram.

The only element of celebration that a Muslim can share with others when it comes to ushering in the new calendar is the making of resolutions. 

But for Muslims, the only weight-loss program is the shedding past sins and an overall renewal of their faith.

In light of Awal Muharram, here are the ten things a Muslim can do to become a better Muslim in the 1435 Hijrah calendar, as suggested by Malaysian Digest readers.



1) Do Things In The Name Of Allah

“Muslim” means “those who submit to the Will of Allah”. 

So, with Allah in mind, a Muslim should begin their day and end their day with doing deeds according to His Will. That is ideally how a Muslim should choose to live their life, by executing every daily action with Allah, the Creator, in mind. 

There are many du'as (supplication) in which a Muslim should recite before they perform our daily obligations, such as driving, having a meal, going to the bathroom, etc.

To remember Allah should be a Muslim’s starting point when walking on a fresh spiritual journey towards the straight path.



2) Doing Good Deeds And Staying Away from Bad Deeds (and Bad People) 

“A man is known by the company he keeps” – the saying may be rooted in Islam.

In Islam, having good company is better than being alone, but being alone is better than keeping bad company.

The strength of influence is explained in a Hadith (a collection of traditions containing sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that, with accounts of his daily practice [the Sunnah], constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Qur’an).

The Prophet said: “A person is on the religion of his companions. Therefore let every one of you carefully consider the company he keeps.” [Tirmidhi]



3) Be Positive And Be Patient

Going through ups and down is part and partial of our daily life. 

Everyone has their good days and their bad days, but it is how they manage these challenges that set them apart from others. Do not dwell into your sorrows too much and try to remember that there's a silver lining to everything.

As stated in the Qur'an, “We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).” Surah al-Baqarah:155.



4) Pray 5 Times A Day

The five daily prayers is the foundation of what it means to be a Muslim. 

“Islam” means “submitting to the Will of Allah”. Therefore, everything that a Muslim does stands on him worshipping his Creator. 

Sadly, many Muslims in Malaysia give more attention to work than to their obligatory prayers.

To become a better Muslim, start the journey by mending our relationship with our Creator. Apart from remembering Him in our daily actions, we should remind ourselves that prayer is the key to directly communicate with our God.

If we fear we might forget the prayer times, technology can come in handy and there are phone apps which can notify the prayer times accordingly.

It is time for us to submit to the Will of Allah, if we are to be thankful.  

“And if you were to count Allah's favours, you would not be able to number them; most surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [Sūrah al-Nahl: 18]



5) Forgive and Forget

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "The most complete in faith are those best in their character, those who are easy to socialize with, and those who get along with others and others get along with them. There is no good in the one who cannot get along with others and others cannot get along with them." (Tirmidhi).

The Hadith above talks about maintaining good relationship with others, and forgiving and forgetting is definitely one of the ways. Holding on to grudges, creating rumours, gossiping, idle talk, is not the way to go if we wish to have a pure heart and soul. 

One should stop assuming and thinking the worst in another in order to remain a healthy relationship. Let go, move forward and continue to meet new and better people in the future.


............................. ..................


Baca Lanjut: http://www.malaysiandigest.com/opinion/475312-ten-new-year-resolutions-for-muslims.html