Each and every year we hear the very common phrase “A new year, a new me.” To most, unfortunately, it’s a trend that fades after a few weeks or even days, but to those who really understand their purpose in this world, they take advantage of the opportunity.

Every new year is an opportunity a Muslim must look at himself/herself in the mirror and ask themselves what it is truly that they have prepared and are ready to present before Allah ﷻ. When we ask ourselves that question, often times we are left empty on the inside because we truly know and recognize how short we have fallen in our worship. When we reflect on ourselves and our own journeys it allows us to be vulnerable with Allah ﷻ, and it’s that very vulnerability that will draw us nearer to Allah ﷻ.

A Muslim must take this opportunity and renew and revive their relationship with Allah ﷻ because that is our sole purpose in this life. If we want a happy afterlife, we must live a life that is pleasing to our Creator.

Allah ﷻ says in the Quran “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” {16:97}

The scholars have different opinions on what a “good life” looks like exactly, but overall, they agree that a good life means one is genuinely happy. There is not a sane individual in this world who wishes to live miserably. Everyone wants to be happy, but as Muslims we recognize that happiness lies in being near to your Creator. Happiness in this world is being grateful that Allah ﷻ has mercy on us and gives us the ability to worship Him ﷻ, which ultimately gives us serenity and removes our worries and anxiety. Happiness in the grave is being saved from its punishment, and happiness in the next life is entering paradise and being given everything and anything beyond our imagination. When we allow this world to be a good life by doing what Allah ﷻ tells us to do and staying away from what Allah ﷻ tells us to stay away from, only then will our next life be a pleasant one.

This new year needs to be a year in which we humble ourselves and turn back to Allah ﷻ. One of the scholars said, “I searched all the roads that lead to Allah, and I found them all to be crowded, and when I looked at the road of humbleness and submission and it was absolutely empty.” When we turn back to Allah ﷻ, the best way is to recognize our weaknesses and our need for Allah ﷻ. Humble yourself and submit yourself to the will of Allah, then cry out to Allah ﷻ and wait for the blessings that will appear in your life.

This year will be the same you, with the same history and experience, but with a new mentality: a new perspective that we turn to Allah ﷻ the way we are, broken, but seeking Him ﷻ to heal us.

By Sh Hassan Natour