An hour passes, a day runs its course, a month goes by, a year ends, and a lifetime fades away. In these moments, a fetus develops, a child is born, a boy grows, a youth matures, an old man ages, and a senior passes away. Everything has a beginning and an end, and every first has a last.

Allah has made the passing of time and the end of years a reminder of the passage and end of life itself. Therefore, at the close of each year, we must pay attention to the following:

1- Reflecting on the passage of time:

Days pass quickly, and it is hard for a person to stay in one condition for a long time. Childhood passes swiftly, youth ends suddenly, then middle age comes, and a person finds that their entire life feels like just an hour of daylight. Allah says: “As though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day.” (Al-Ahqaf: 35). Whoever realizes this should reflect and understand that everything has an end, and every person should strive to make the end of their life a good one.

2- Accountability of the self:

A Muslim should not let any day pass without sitting with themselves for a while to account for their actions, correct what they have ruined, or repent for what they have missed in terms of good deeds. The need for daily self-accountability comes from human nature and forgetfulness. If a person does not account for themselves, they might forget their actions, only recalling them when it becomes too difficult to amend or when the time for repentance has passed. The difficulty of rectification arises from old age and the weakening of the body, and the impossibility of returning to repentance comes when death arrives or on the Day of Judgment. Allah says: “And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous’. But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Munafiqun: 10-11), and also: “And they will cry out therein, “Our Lord, remove us; we will do righteousness – other than what we were doing!” But did We not grant you life enough for whoever would remember therein to remember, and the warner had come to you? So taste [the punishment], for there is not for the wrongdoers any helper.” (Fatir: 37).

The general accountability of the self alleviates the reckoning on the Day of Judgment, as the individual will rectify what they missed of good deeds and repent for their wrongdoings. This is reflected in the words of Ibn al-Athir, quoting Umar ibn al-Khattab: “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account, for it is easier for your reckoning, and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you, and prepare yourselves for the great presentation.” ⁽¹⁾

3- Seizing the opportunity of time:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged seizing time, as narrated by Al-Hakim and others, where Ibn Abbas said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a man while advising him: “Utilize (take advantage of) five before five: your youthfulness (before old age), your wellbeing (before sickness), your richness (before poverty), your free time (before being occupied/busy), and your life (before death).”

The companions and the early generations were very diligent about making the most of their time. Ibn Mas’ud said: “I have never regretted anything like I regret a day when the sun sets, and my lifespan has decreased but my deeds have not increased.” Al-Hasan al-Basri said: “There is no day that breaks its dawn except that it calls out, ‘O son of Adam, I am a new creation, and I will testify for or against your deeds. So take provisions from me, for when I pass, I will never return until the Day of Judgment.’” He also said: “I saw some people who were more concerned about their time than you are about your wealth and money.” Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz said: “The night and the day work upon you, so you should work upon them.” ⁽²⁾

4- Good endings:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as narrated by Bukhari: “(the rewards of) the deeds are decided by the last actions (deeds).” If actions are judged by their endings, every Muslim should strive to make the end of their deeds good, as one will be resurrected as they died. In Sahih Muslim, Jabir narrated: “I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: ‘Every servant will be raised (in the same very state) in which he dies.’” Good endings are related to good endings of years and days. A person dies every night in their sleep, but this is the minor death, which they return from when they awaken, if Allah wills. Allah says: “Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Az-Zumar: 42).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) drew attention to this when he instructed us to recite a supplication before and after sleep that reminds us of death. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman said: “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to his bed, he would say: ‘O Allah, in Your Name I die and I live.’ And when he would get up, he would say: ‘Allah praise is due to Allah who revived my soul after causing its death and to Him is the resurrection.’” Sleep daily reminds us of the end of life, so we may reflect upon it and improve our repentance and return to Allah.

5- Preparing for the coming year:

Allah has commanded preparation and planning for the future, as He says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Hashr: 18). The "tomorrow" in this verse refers to both the near future in this world and the far future in the Hereafter. A Muslim should plan for this tomorrow with good intentions and proper preparation, as planning is the gateway to success. Even if a person plans for tomorrow but circumstances or death prevent them from acting, they will still be rewarded for their good intention.

In Sahih Muslim, Ibn Abbas narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who relayed it from Allah, saying: “God records the good deeds and the evil deeds. If anyone intends to do a good deed but does not do it, God enters it for him in His record as a complete good deed:and if he intends to do a good deed and does it, God enters it for him in His record as ten to seven hundred and many more times as much. If anyone intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, God enters it for him in His record as a complete good deed; but if he intends to do it and does it, God records it for him as one evil deed.”

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(1) "Asad al-Ghaba fi Ma'rifat al-Sahabah" by Ibn al-Athir (4/ 156).

(2) "Time in the Life of a Muslim" by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, pp. 11-13.

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