Submit To Allah

Tips to Start off this Year for your Spiritual Hijrah:

As we enter the new Islamic year, in the sacred month of Muharram, we are reminded of a significant milestone in the history of Islam - The Great Hijrah (Migration). We recall the long and difficult journey from Mecca to Medina taken by the Prophet (peace & blessing be upon him) and his companions after being subjected to years of persecution, oppression and hostility.

Marking the beginning of a new Islamic year, the hijrah serves as a great reminder to us all. It reminds us of a new chapter in the lives of the early Muslims and the sacrifices they made to become the exemplary Muslims of all time.
Now that we have entered the new year, what spiritual hijrah will you be making?

Here are some tips to start off this year for your spiritual hijrah:

1. Start sacrificing some sleep and plan to wake up every night for Tahajjud (Night Prayers) and and in sha Allah you’ll feel the great difference in your life.

2. Set a specific amount of Quran you want to read, memorize and understand every day, and ensure that a day doesn’t pass until you’ve done it.

3. Make a promise to yourself to quit any bad habits such as listening to music, watching movies/tv shows, smoking, gossip, lying, backbiting, wasting time…..

4. Start following the sunnah more and if you are lacking in the obligatory acts of worship, this is the time to start. For sisters who haven’t worn the hijab yet, place your intentions and start from now. For the men who haven’t grown the beard and is lacking in lowering the gaze, this is your time. Start practicing modesty not only in the way you look, but in your character, manners and behaviors as well.

5. Forgive and practice more patience with others. Avoid getting angry or impatient and try your best to let go of the trivial issues and pardon those who have fallen into mistakes.

6. Devote more time with your parents, be patient with them and let go of any differences to avoid falling into disagreeme

Allah defined success in this verse with a specific description. Not the wealthiest. Not the most educated. Not the most powerful.

"Let there arise among you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. Those are the successful ones." (Aal-Imran 3:104)

If a group exists in a community fulfilling this function, the communal obligation is met. If the group does not exist, it falls on every individual with the ability.

Most Muslim communities today are in the second category.

This is not an abstract scholarly concern. It determines whether the definition of "successful" in this verse applies to your community or does not. May Allah make us from those who call to good and mean it.

Aameen.

Anas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The supplication made between the Adhan and the Iqamah is never rejected."

(Riyad ul Saliheen 1041, Book 8, Hadith 51)

Allah tests His believers because He allows us to improve ourselves and grow closer to Him due to our patience and being thankful for overcoming challenges. Practice being grateful every day, thanking Allah for every little blessing He has blessed us with, and He will reward us in a way we can’t even imagine.

This du’a teaches us to put our trust in Allah’s perfect knowledge; asking Him to grant us a death according to His all-knowing wisdom.

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The fast is the day the people fast, the breaking of the fast is the day the people break their fast, and the sacrifice is the day the people sacrifice."

(Jami`at-Tirmidhi 697, Book 8, Hadith 16)