Amid the hustle of life’s challenges and financial pressures, many people may lose their sense of direction without setting a roadmap for a year that passes from their lives—one that may stand as a witness for or against them, a year of either success or loss in both their worldly and afterlife affairs.
The Most Emphasized Stage of Life
It is well known that a person will be questioned about how they spent their life, yet they will receive a separate question specifically about their youth. This is because youth is the most emphasized stage of life for which a person will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, regardless of whether they die young or old.
Abu Barzah Al-Aslami reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The feet of the slave of Allah shall not move [on the Day of Judgement] until he is asked about five things: about his life and what he did with it, about his knowledge and what he did with it, about his wealth and how he earned it and where he spent it on, about his body and for what did he wear it out." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)
Annual Goals List
It is wise for a person to set a list of goals they wish to achieve each year. These should be diverse, covering spiritual, physical, professional, and social aspirations, along with other ambitions that preoccupy people in today's world.
The Prophet (ﷺ) advised a man by saying: " Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death." (Sahih Al-Jami’)
The following lines offer a roadmap consisting of five key items that should be at the top of every individual's personal agenda as part of their self-development plans. Let their motto be as Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "Every day that dawns calls out: O son of Adam, I am a new day and a witness to your deeds, so take advantage of me, for I will never return until the Day of Judgment."
1. A Spiritual Goal
Begin with a spiritual and faith-based goal—strengthening your connection with Allah by maintaining prayers and dhikr (remembrance of Allah), dedicating time for night prayers, fasting voluntary days, memorizing the Qur’an, or aiming to perform Umrah or Hajj this year. The key is to ensure you attain a substantial share of worship that brings you closer to Allah, making you truly successful in both this life and the Hereafter.
2. A Social Goal
A social goal involves increasing visits to relatives, maintaining family ties, checking on loved ones, putting an end to disputes and enmities with neighbors and everyone, and strengthening social relationships. This aligns with Allah’s command: "And give the relative his right." (Al-Isra: 26), and again for emphasis: "So give the relative his right." (Ar-Rum: 38), Allah also commands: "Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives." (An-Nisa: 36)
3. A Career Goal
A professional goal should focus on developing your skills and capabilities, obtaining specialized training, and excelling in your job. Striving for career advancement through diligence and dedication not only benefits your workplace but also presents you as a role model for others, including non-Muslims. This is in line with the hadith: " Allah loves that when one of you does something, that they perfect it." (Authenticated by Al-Albani)
4. A Short-Term Goal
Short-term goals provide immediate achievements that boost morale and energy, helping to sustain motivation for long-term objectives. Long-term goals may sometimes feel overwhelming or discouraging, so breaking them down into smaller, quarterly goals or weekly and monthly targets—such as reading a book or losing four kilograms in a month—can make them more manageable and achievable according to your time and energy.
A scientific study indicates that over 40% of people who enthusiastically write down New Year’s resolutions abandon them after the first month due to frustration, poor time management, lack of prioritization, or setting unrealistic goals that exceed their capabilities.
5. A Volunteer Goal
A volunteer goal should involve engaging in charitable or community service activities, such as sponsoring orphans, helping the sick, planting trees in your neighborhood, or supporting relief efforts for those in Gaza and Syria. Contributing to humanitarian causes through official channels is a meaningful way to ensure your year includes acts of goodness.
“My success is only through Allah”
In conclusion, prepare your goals list, but do not overwhelm yourself with too many. Prioritize, categorize, and create a schedule. Let it encompass your spiritual, social and psychological life. Stay committed, reward yourself for accomplishments, and regularly assess your progress. Let your guiding principle be: "My success is only through Allah."
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