By Shaykh Tauqeer Shah | Published on April 22, 2024

It is never too late to start fresh. Whether it is after Ramadan when our Imaan was renewed or anytime during the year. However, the season of Allah’s special mercy and blessings are the best time for us to reflect and bring about good change in our lives. Using this opportunity to change ourselves and start afresh after Ramadan is about maintaining its spirit. In Ramadan, we repented to Allah seeking HIS mercy and forgiveness. When a person repents, he becomes like a person without a sin.  We made extensive Ibadah seeking the forgiveness of Allah, so we are like one without sin. The Prophet PBUH said:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud RA: The Messenger of Allah, PBUH said, “The one who completely repented of sin is like one without sin.” (Ibn Majah)

To start afresh is also not bound to Ramadan, it is every time and every opportunity that Allah SWT guides us and gives the sense of awakening. It can come at any time of the year. We can seek his guidance and start at any given moment so long as we are breathing and alive. Allah the All-Mighty Says in the Qur’an:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ.

“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” (Quran: Nahal, 16:97)

According to the Hadith, anyone with faith and Imaan followed by good actions can be renewed with a good and a better life, and they will be rewarded according to their deeds. So, maintaining good deeds or starting fresh and making the right choices will lead us to new beginnings and a new life. Another point to understand is that change must come from within. A person must want to change their conditions. They should desire it. The desire to change and better ourselves is not something that can be forced upon someone. It is something that one has to seek for themselves.  Allah the All-Mighty Says in the Qur’an:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ

“Indeed, Allah would never change a people’s state ˹of favor˺ until they change their own state”. (Qur’an: Ar Ra’d, 13:11)

Here we are some points that may help us to accomplish that;

1. Having Faith and Trust in Allah: Having faith and trust, or Tawakkul, upon Allah’s mercy is the first step to achieving this goal. No matter what we went through in life or how bad our actions were, we must have faith in Allah and have the certainty/yaqeen that Allah forgives, accepts, and embraces us with open arms. It is never too late in the sight of Allah, so we begin by having faith and trust in HIM SWT. Allah the All-Mighty says:

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ

“And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them.” (Qur’an: Talaq, 65:3)

2. Focusing on our Internal State. Too often we focus on our external bodily/physical needs and neglect our internal state. It is rather our internal state that brings us peace, contentment, and true happiness. If one is strong internally, the external becomes easy. Similarly, if one is weak internally, nothing can satisfy us or our external needs. A beautiful saying of the Prophet PBUH reminds us to focus on leaving that which does not concern us. The prophet PBUH said:   

 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم “مِنْ حُسْنِ إسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ. 

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah RA: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said, “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him”. (Ibn Majah)

The comfort and contentment of the heart is attached with the remembrance of Allah. Taking steps to ensure that we are connected to Allah and his remembrance can be done in many ways i.e. staying close to the masjid, prioritizing congregational prayers, and engaging in gatherings that reminds of Allah and allows us to soften our hearts and stay sloe to Allah. Allah the All-Mighty Says in the Qur’an;

أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ.

Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort. (Qur’an: Ar Ra’d, 13:28)

3. Being an active Student of Knowledge: Seeking knowledge is one of the most important ways through which we can expand our horizon and occupy our thoughts and mind with consistent beneficial reminders. Knowledge is key to success and one of the first command that was revealed by Allah SWT to mankind was, “Read! in the Name of your Lord Who created you.” (Surah Alaq, 96:1) Therefore, reading, listening, attending lectures, and seeking knowledge is not just to gain knowledge rather it is a command from our Lord. It enhances our intellect which will lead us to reflect on our current state and allow us to make better choices in life. Allah, the All-Mighty Says:

 

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ.

“Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” None will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason. (Qur’an: Az Zumr, 39:9)

4. Managing our Time and Health: The two great blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us are, time and health. It is important that we manage these two blessings properly. One may have free time today but might be occupied tomorrow with many things. Every single day that we live and breathe is a blessing. Waking up from our sleep every morning is a gift of Allah as there are many who went to sleep but never woke up to see another day.  Life is short, and we are racing against time before it runs out on us. Similarly, the blessing of good health is also a gift from Allah. There are many who may have some form of disability but are still blessed with other faculties. There are many who would give everything away just to walk, talk, hear, see and feel that we take for granted everyday in our lives. Understanding these blessings and utilizing them in the proper way is nothing short of a huge advantage and blessings of Allah. So, while we have good health, we must make Sajda, read, listen to the book of Allah; these are not actions to be taken lightly. Making the right choices by understanding these two gifts and utilizing them to our advantage and not misusing them is putting them to proper use. Make the most of your time and good health and put them to good use. Make the time to seek beneficial knowledge and use your health to serve others. Prioritize your time and health before it is taken away from you. The Prophet PBUH said: 

 

 عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ ‏.‏ Narrated Ibn `Abbas RA: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)