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What Are Your New Year Resolutions?

What Are Your New Year Resolutions?

05 - Feb - 2021
Lifestyle
6
Min

The last days of the year are perhaps the most hectic times of our lives. Everyone is busy wrapping up what has remained unfinished, an incomplete project, an undecided relationship or an unsaid word.

Among all these noises, one might stop for a moment and look back at the 365 days that have passed so quickly, and how they have gone by. “What have I accomplished? What are the mistakes that I am repeatedly making? Have I reached my goals? Have I become a better (or worse) person? Have I even changed? How much have I fulfilled my responsibilities as a Muslim?” these are the questions that we always ask ourselves at this time of the year.

And when the last seconds of the year come, we start thinking of the days that are before us; of our new resolutions, plans, and decisions. 2019 or 20 are not different if our days are not going to be more productive and better than before. 

Look back at the past, Plan to Be Better in Future

Islam recommends us to evaluate ourselves regularly and look back at our actions [i]. However, this does not mean that you should just remember your past mistakes, regret making them and do nothing. Every new day is a chance for us to put aside one bad habit and go toward the perfect version of ourselves, not being satisfied with our past achievements and always setting new goals.

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Loser, Winner, Cursed

According to Imam Ali (AS), you are a loser if your two days (or two years, two weeks, etc.), are spent the same, meaning that you have not improved or have not added anything to your life.

This could be reading a book, watching a worthwhile movie, planting a tree, caring more about your parents, etc.  The worse thing is when you are degrading and your present day is no better than yesterday. This kind of person is cursed, Imam Ali (AS) believes.

You win the cup if you live a better and more productive day than yesterday! Of course a day, or two days, etc. are only metaphors, and they can mean any span of time. What is important is how you pass these moments, days or years.

Have a Life Purpose

The new year is also a chance to renew our goals and purposes. I know that it might sound like a cliche, yet it is impossible to deny the importance of motivation or a drive to push you and make you ambitious.

You might have many purposes, some long-term and some short-term, some financial or spiritual. And do not just think about your goals, but take action toward achieving them [ii].

Islam guides us toward becoming a better person and thus sets specific goals for Muslims to be aware of in their lives. A Muslim’s ultimate purpose which will spread in all aspects of his/her life and every decision and every move is to get as near as possible to that eternal source of blessing and peace, Allah, and be worthy of His worship [3].   

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Be a Better Person Regarding Allah, Yourself and Others

Being ambitious is not enough. It is important to feel responsible as well. Islam differentiates three people as the ones to whom we hold some responsibilities, which have to be fulfilled simultaneously; including Allah, ourselves and others. Our first and foremost responsibility is toward Allah, our One, and Only Creator.

Perhaps a few minutes before the New Year is the best time to think of His blessings to us and decide to appreciate them more through worshiping Him sincerely and devote some time of our life to praying. Secondly, we are responsible for ourselves; taking care of our mind and spirit, having a plan for our life and continually following it, observing a healthy lifestyle, etc.

And finally, we have some responsibilities toward others, other human beings, other creatures, our surroundings, etc. To be a better person, we should be careful in our interactions with other people, be conscious of how we treat the environment and animals and strive to build a better world. 

Make a New Year Resolution, keep Doing it, Evaluate Your Outcome 

You can start a new year with a plan for your next 365 days. As Muslims, our life plans should always reflect our Islamic values. Having that in mind, think of what you want to achieve; how you can better fulfill your responsibilities toward Allah, yourself and others as enumerated in Islam (specify the actions that you should commit and the things you have to avoid doing to guarantee your commitment to those responsibilities), or where you want to be this time next year. Have a look at the big picture and set little goals which will lead you to that ultimate purpose and help you become a better Muslim.

Then, keep track of your plan during the year, observe your progress and see how much of your plan you have fulfilled and to what extent you have been devoted to your Islamic responsibilities. As Imam Ali (AS) beautifully puts, you should strive to build your life as if you have eternity before you, and at the same time be aware of the day (i.e., The Day of Judgment) that you will be questioned about your actions and manners in this world [4].

The last days of the year are like the exam days, but this time you would examine yourself. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) puts, when it comes to evaluation, you should be harder on yourself than when you are evaluating other people’s deeds [5]. You would evaluate whatever you have done up to that time and how much of that big picture that you had in your mind has completed.  

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Finally, if we are willing to make the most of our lives, we have no other choice than be aware of our every step and every action that we take. And, every new year marks our promise to ourselves and Allah to be the best we can and continue going toward this goal.   

  Notes:

[i] Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Evaluate yourself before you would be evaluated [by Allah on the Judgment Day]” [1].
[ii] Imam Ali (AS) said: “Your efforts make you worthy” [2].

References:

  1. Al-Hurr al-Aamili, Wasā'il al-Shīʿa, vol.16, p.99.    
  2. Nahj al-Balaghah, Wisdom no. 47.
  3. Quran (36:61)
  4. Shaikh al-Hur al-Aamili, Wasā'il al-Shīʿa, vol.2, p.535.
  5. Ibid, vol.16, p.98.


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40 Inspiring Quotes of Imam Hussain (AS)

10 - Feb - 2021 91,010 Read 5 Min

1.  Aim of Imam Hussain (AS)’s Revolution

The aim of my revolution is to reform the society and revive the true teachings of Islam

(Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.243)

2. Being Free-spirited

If you don’t believe in any religion, at least be free-spirited and honest in your actions  

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 51)

3. Revolt against Tyranny

I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant; rather, I rose seeking reformation for the nation of Islam

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 329)

4. Patience in the Journey toward What Is Right

On the Day of Ashura, he addressed his companions: 

“Be patient, you noble ones. Death is only a bridge which takes you from misery and loss to the vast Paradise and the eternal graces”.

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 297)

5. Peacemaking and Preventing from War 

O’ people! Listen to my words and don’t hasten to start a war, so that I clarify the reason behind my revolution 

(al-Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p.253)

6. Being a Just Leader

On the night of Ashura, he gathered his followers in his tent, put out the light and said:

“Beware that I give you permission to leave this place; there is no obligation on you anymore, and you can all leave.”
However, not even one of them left his side….  

 (al-Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 250)

7. Being a Steadfast Seeker 

joBe steadfast and firm in the way toward what is right, even if your journey is full of pain and challenges.   

(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 28)

8. Preserving Human Dignity

Death with dignity is better than a life of abasement. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 44, P. 192)

9. Being Courageous 

By God, I will never surrender to my enemies like a humiliated person and never pledge allegiance to them like slaves

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 45, P. 7)

10. Martyrdom for What is Right

To me, death for the sake of what is right, is nothing but happiness, and living under tyrants nothing but living in a hell 

(Tuhaf-al- Uqoul, P. 245)

11. Importance of Praying

The most incapable person is the one who can’t pray.

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol.81, p.257)

12. Generosity 

The most generous person is the one who gives to those who do not expect his help.

(Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.30)

13. Competing in Good Deeds 

Try to compete with one another in good deeds and hurry to seize the opportunities, and forget the good deeds that you haven’t hastened to do.

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol.57, p.121)

14. Being Religious 

People are slaves of this world. Religion is just what they say. They use it as long as it provides them with their living. When they are tested, there remain only a few true religious ones.

(Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.245)

15. Worshiping Allah

If you worship Allah the way He deserves to be worshipped, He will fulfill all your wishes, and bless you much more than what you deserve.

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 68, p.184)

16. Helping Others

God will help the person who cares about other people’s needs, both in this world and the hereafter.

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol.75, p.121)

17. Having Faith in Allah
 
O’ Allah! What has gained the one who has not found You, and what has lost the one who has found You?

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol.95, p.226)

18. Don’t be an Oppressor

Avoid oppressing the one who does not have any supporter against you, other than the Almighty God. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 118)

19. Allah’s Bounties 

When Allah chooses to favor someone, makes him/her the source of satisfying other people's needs. 

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol.74, p.205.)

20. Beware of Your Own Sins

Beware! Do not be among those who are concerned about the sins of others while neglectful of their own sins. 

(al-Kafi, vol.8, p.49, Hadith #9)

21. A True Friend 

One who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 128)

22. Satisfying People, while Disobeying Allah

Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of Allah; Then Allah subjects him to people. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 126)

23. Follow the Truth

Wisdom will not be gained, unless through following the right path. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 127)

24. Say Good Things

Say what you like to be said about you, in the absence of your fellow believer. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 127)

25. Don’t Commit What is Wrong 

Avoid doing things that would make you apologize; since a believer won’t commit a wrong action that would make him/her sorry. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 120)

26. Actions should be done for Allah

If you lead your actions through committing sins and disobeying Allah, your intentions won’t be fulfilled and will be caught in what you fear most. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 120)

27. Kindness and Faithfulness 

Kindness elevates human beings, and faithfulness is the sign of decency.

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 122)

28. Extremism and Abject People

Extremism is like going down in a swamp, and keeping company with abject and corrupt ones will bring evil and misery for you. 

(Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.30)

29. Knowledge
 
Seeking knowledge will lead you toward wisdom and elevation. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 128)

30. Visiting Relatives

Visiting relatives and keeping in touch with them will bring you a longer and more substantial life. 

(Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Oyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.44)

31. The Most Generous 

The most generous person is the one who forgives while in power. 

(Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29)

32. Maintaining Family Ties

The best way of maintaining family ties is through visiting the ones who have cut ties with you and haven’t visited you for a while. 

(Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29)

33. Helping Your Fellow in Religion 

Whoever helps his/her fellow in religion for the sake of Allah, He will compensate for him/her and eliminate the hardships from his/her life. Also, whoever relieves a believer’s grief, Allah will free him/her of his/her pains and sufferings in this world and the other world. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 121)

34. Trusting Others

Only trust those who believe in Allah and are afraid of His questioning on the Day of Judgement. 

(Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Jameh al- Akhbar, p.97)

35. Paying the Debts 

While on his way to Karbala, Imam Hussain (AS) said: “I cannot have whoever owes a debt in my company. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) used to say: ‘whoever dies while owing to other people, his/her good deeds will be void in the hereafter.’”

(Kalimat al-Imam al-Hussain (AS) (Words of Imam Hussain), p.417)

36. People’s Praise and Blame 

Gain people’s praise with your efforts and successes, and do not expose yourself to people’s blames through laziness and lethargy. 

(Kashf al-ghumma, vol.2, p.29)

 37. Gaining Experience 

Long and numerous experiences strengthens your mind. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 75, P. 128)

38. A Scholar’s Sign
 
One of the signs of a scholar is criticizing his/her own words and thoughts and being aware of different viewpoints. 

(Bihar-al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 119)

39. Beware of What You Say 

Do not say something which would undermine your self-worth.  

(Muhammad Baqer al-Majlisi, Jala’a al-Oyoun, vol.2, p.205)

40. Physical Health  

Observe your physical health in your lifetime. 

(Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.239)
 



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Is Life Worth Living? Imam Hussian's (AS) Reply

10 - Feb - 2021 258 Read 3 Min

Perhaps one of the most important questions for each of us about life is what a good and flourishing life is and most generally if it is worth living.

Many people, including great philosophers and scholars of ethics and mysticism throughout history, have tried to find an answer to this question regarding life worth. Albert Camus, one of the famous authors and philosophers of the 20th century, tried hard to fulfill his lifelong quest to shed light on the meaning of our lives, such that he believed: “Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest […] comes afterward. Those are games; one must first answer this” [2]. 

Now let’s see how different people have answered this important question about life worth. We can divide these viewpoints into three categories:

"Life Is not Worth Living at All"

1. They believe life costs a lot and has very few benefits for us. As Woody Allan, the pessimist American director, puts: “Most of life is tragic. You're born, you don't know why. You're here, you don't know why. You go, you die. Your family dies. Your friends die. People suffer. People live in constant terror. The world is full of poverty and corruption and war and Nazis and tsunamis. The net result, the final count is, you lose - you don't beat the house” [3]. Or as Samuel Butler says: “life is one long process of getting tired” [4]. So some of these people think why not we commit suicide to get rid of this miserable life?!

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"Life Worthes Living All the Time, No Matter What!"

2. These people believe life is so valuable no matter how it seems and we have to live it at any price. Lots of people choose to think this way. Henry James has said: “Be not afraid of life believe that life is worth living and your belief will create the fact” [5]. Or there is another quote from Ellen DeGeneres that says: “My life is perfect even when it's not” [6]. Also, one of the most popular contemporary writers, Paulo Coelho seems to have a kind of optimistic view about life when he says: “Never give up. When your heart becomes tired, just walk with your legs – but move on” [7]
Some other people seem to have found the golden mean between the two previous extremes:

Is Life Worth?

"Life Is not Completely Worthless, Neither Absolutely Valuable"

3. So, sometimes it is worth living and sometimes not. This is what Islam and Islamic leaders teach their followers about life worth. There are examples in the lives of the infallible Imams in which they indicate that we are not created only to live this worldly life and that this life is merely a path for us to reach a higher status. As the Holy Quran says: “while the Hereafter is better and more lasting” (87:17). So, we should always think if this earthly life will be to our benefit in the hereafter or not. If yes, then it is worth living; if not fight for those benefits even if you die. 

One of the most significant role models for us in this regard is Imam Hussain (AS), the third infallible Imam, whose act of sacrifice has left a profound impact on humankind throughout history. Imam Hussain (AS) believed accepting humiliation and obedience to mean people is like living in hell. So, when all he did to guide his enemies to the right path failed, he said: “To me, death is nothing but happiness, and living under tyrants nothing but living in a hell” [8].

At this state, death to him is more desirable than living under the oppression of the tyrants and surrendering to their wishes. Therefore, when he was placed in a dilemma by the oppressors to be humiliated by swearing allegiance to the tyrant of the time, Yazid, or to fight and probably die, he decided to fight even if he died. He sacrificed all he had in this way and departed this earthly life with glory. 
Now, after about 1400 years, every year in Muharram, lots of ceremonies are held around the world to commemorate the anniversary of his martyrdom. Lots of people from different religions get influenced by him and his ideology and sometimes it makes them embrace Islam.

Which point of view do you agree about life worth? Will you ever give up your benefits for the good of others to make them have a flourishing and more valuable life?

References:      

  1.  life worth living Albert
  2. sisyphus
  3. woody Allen 
  4. samuel Butler
  5. Henry James
  6. my life is perfect even its not
  7. love life happiness
  8.  Tohaf-al- Uqoul, P. 245
     


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