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 life-span 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 says:
Every living person (nafs) will taste
of death. (3:185)
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 i.e.
in accordance with the guidance from Allah and His Rasool, or otherwise?
Perhaps one can contemplate on the
following: Was it a beneficial and productive year; or was it a year of
losses? Was I able to observe my religious duties willingly; or did I falter
and failed to be guided by the principles and teachings of Islam? Did I stay
conscious of the fact that one day I am going to leave all my material
belongings and connections behind me, as I move on the journey in life?
Please be reminded that Allah says:
Whatever is with you will evaporate;
and whatever is with Allah will endure. (16:96)
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
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:
Surely, Allah loves those who (turn
to Him in) repentance; and He loves those who (stay pure) and clean. (2:222)
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 punishment; as He says:
If
Allah were to take mankind to task for all the wrong that they do, He would not
have left on the earth any living creature. (16:61)
It becomes necessary therefore for
every person to try and do as much good as possible, as, Surely, good deeds
annul ill deeds (11:114).
In addition to doing good one must
make it a daily practice to beg the Merciful Lord for forgiveness. He says:
And vie with one another for
forgiveness from your Lord; and for a Paradise as wide as are the heavens and
the earth, prepared for those who ward off evil. (3:133)
May Allah forgive us for our faults,
mistakes and sins; and may He bless us for all the good that we did.
