Allah subḥānahu wa taʿālā says in Sūrat al‑ʿAṣr — a chapter we all know well:
By the pressing of time. Truly the human being is in a state of loss — except those who believe, do righteous deeds, encourage one another to truth, and encourage one another to patience.
Allah’s oath by al‑ʿaṣr — time itself — is a reminder of its immense weight.
Ibn ʿAbbās (r.a) explained that al‑ʿaṣr refers to time, and Imām al‑Shāfiʿī (r.a) famously said that if people were to reflect deeply on this sūrah alone, it would suffice them.
In another verse, Allah subḥānahu wa taʿālā commands:
O you who believe, be mindful of Allah, and let every soul look to what it has prepared for tomorrow. And be mindful of Allah…
Notice how the command to “prepare for tomorrow” is framed on both sides by the command to have taqwā. As if Allah is teaching us: your planning only has value when it is rooted in consciousness of Him.
Allah has placed time, in a sense, under our stewardship:
He has subjected the sun and the moon for you — both moving continuously.
Every morning the sun rises without fail. Every month the moon moves through its phases with precision.
And He says:
And He has subjected for you the night and the day.
These are tools — divine gifts — for us to use in fulfilling our purpose.
As we stand at the end of 2019 and the beginning of a new year, it is natural and beneficial to pause, reflect, and plan. There is no issue in using calendars — lunar or solar — for Allah Himself says:
So that you may know the number of years and the calculation.
Both the sun and the moon are signs to help us organise our lives and measure our progress.
And this is the point: we are here to make use of opportunities, not to let them slip away. Every day should be better than the one before it. Every month should show growth. Every year should bring us closer to Allah in īmān and in action.
To help us reflect, I have summarised seven key areas that every believer should review when planning for the coming year.
1. Acts of Obedience (ʿIbādāt)
When thinking about the year ahead, we must begin with our direct acts of worship:
ṣalāh, ṣawm, Qur’ān, dhikr, and so on.
Ṣalāh
Beyond the obligatory prayers — which are non‑negotiable — the Prophet ﷺ set for us an ideal model:
- The twelve daily sunnah prayers
- Witr
- Qiyām al‑layl / Tahajjud
- Ṣalāt al‑Ḍuḥā
Not everyone can do all of these consistently, but the point is to plan. What can I realistically add this year? What can I build gradually?
Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ taught us the ideal form of voluntary fasting:
“The best fasting is the fasting of Dāwūd — he would fast one day and break the fast the next.”
If that is difficult, then:
- Mondays and Thursdays
- Or at least three days each month
These are achievable targets that bring immense reward.
Qur’ān
The ideal practice of many of the Companions was to complete the Qur’ān once a week. If that is difficult, then:
- Once a month
- And at the very least: once a year
A year should not pass without completing the Book of Allah.
2. Knowledge
The coming year should also be a year of learning. There are essential areas of knowledge that every Muslim must know:
- The fiqh of ṭahārah
- The fiqh of ṣalāh
- What makes acts of worship valid or invalid
- For those who are married: the rulings of marriage, rights, responsibilities, and divorce
Many people fall into sinful or invalid forms of divorce simply because they never learned the rulings. A man may say, “I divorced my wife because I was angry.” But as someone once said: No one divorces while calmly sipping tea and eating biscuits. It is always in moments of anger — which is exactly why knowledge is essential.
If you are involved in buying and selling, you must know what is ḥalāl and what is ḥarām in trade, so that you do not fall into ribā or other prohibited transactions. These are not optional details — they are essential knowledge that every Muslim must acquire.
So make the coming year a year of structured learning. A year in which you deliberately fill the gaps in your understanding and ensure that you are living your life with clarity, not guesswork.
But learning is not limited to fiqh alone. A Muslim should constantly expand his or her horizons. Begin with the sīrah — the biography of the Prophet ﷺ. Many scholars considered learning the sīrah almost as essential as learning the Qur’ān itself, because it is through the sīrah that we understand how revelation was lived.
Then read the stories of the Prophets, the lessons Allah placed in the Qur’ān for our guidance. And learn the Qur’ān itself — not only its recitation, but its meanings. How many of us have read the Qur’ān from cover to cover with understanding? Even at a basic level, every Muslim should know the meanings of the words they recite. And then strive for a deeper level: reflection, application, and contemplation.
Likewise, learn the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ. One scholar compiled the major books of ḥadīth into a three‑volume collection of around 3,000 narrations — removing repetitions — and said that reading these would give you exposure to more than 90% of the Prophet’s teachings. Even simpler collections like Riyāḍ al‑Ṣāliḥīn can illuminate your heart and anchor your practice.
And be cautious: many people today share narrations without verifying them. False or fabricated ḥadīth spread easily. Make it a habit to check before you share.
Beyond religious knowledge, broaden your understanding of the world: history, geography, cultures, languages, global dynamics. A Muslim should not be unaware of the world he lives in.
Set a goal to read at least one book a month. And in our age of convenience, there is no excuse — audiobooks, podcasts, and digital libraries are at our fingertips. Instead of wasting time on the radio or scrolling endlessly, you can turn your commute into a classroom.
3. The Self: Heart, Body, and Mind
As you plan for the coming year, ask yourself: Where am I with myself?
Your heart, your body, and your mind all require intentional care.
The Heart
Acts of worship purify the heart, but there are additional practices — muḥāsabah, duʿā’, forgiveness, humility, gratitude — that require conscious effort. These need learning and practice.
The Body
Your body is an amānah, a trust from Allah. It is the vehicle that carries you to Him. Are you taking care of it?
Every year people make resolutions to lose weight or “get healthy,” but for a believer this is not a trend — it is part of worship. Eat ḥalāl and ṭayyib. Eat in moderation. Avoid excess. Prioritise sleep, movement, and nourishment.
The Mind
Your mind also needs development. There are countless programs and resources that strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and understanding. Make mental growth part of your yearly plan.
4. Those Around Us: Family and Relationships
We must also plan for the people Allah has placed in our lives — parents, children, siblings, neighbours.
If you are a child, think: How can I help my parents?
Helping at home is not “a girl’s job” — it is the responsibility of every child.
If you are a parent, ask: How can I give my children more time, more presence, more guidance?
One of the greatest crises today is that parents and children live in the same house but are disconnected — each absorbed in their own screen.
Make a family plan:
- Pray together
- Sit together after ṣalāh for a few minutes
- Read a verse, a story, a reflection
- Create moments of connection
This strengthens hearts and builds a home of mercy.
And extend this to your wider family: elderly parents, uncles, aunts. Ask about them. Visit them. Check on your neighbours. These are rights Allah has placed upon you.
5. Community Work
What are you doing for your community?
There is so much need today. Masājid and institutions are always in need of volunteers. Your masjid needs you. Your neighbourhood needs you.
Make it part of your yearly plan:
- Once a week or once a month, serve your community
- Help the homeless
- Support food banks
- Raise awareness
- Clean public spaces
- Assist in community events
Even small acts ripple outward with immense reward.
Community work must be part of our yearly plan. When we read the sīrah of the Prophet ﷺ and the lives of the righteous, we see that they were deeply rooted in their communities. They were people who showed up — ready to help, ready to serve, ready to give their time for others.
But our responsibility does not end with our immediate community. We must also look beyond. Today, poverty, conflict, and hardship affect millions across the world. And while we live here with comfort, stability, healthcare, and opportunity, gratitude demands that we extend Allah’s blessings to others.
So choose a project for the coming year. As a family, decide on something meaningful:
- Raising funds to dig a well in Gambia or Bangladesh
- Supporting a school in a developing region
- Providing Qur’āns to communities that have none
- Helping build a masjid — some cost less than £2,000
- Building an orphanage in Ghana
These are small amounts for us, but life‑changing for others. Let this year be a year of growth, contribution, and meaningful impact — for ourselves and for those around us.
Every moment of our lives is precious. Every hour, every day is an opportunity to draw closer to Allah subḥānahu wa taʿālā. Yet many of us delay: “I’ll start later… maybe next month… maybe when things calm down…”
But the truth is: we do not know what obstacles lie ahead. Illness, financial hardship, old age, or unexpected trials — all of these can suddenly block our path. That is why planning is essential. And if your intention is sincere, Allah will reward you even if circumstances prevent you from completing your plan.
The Prophet ﷺ taught us a foundational principle:
The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small.
So as you plan for the coming year, avoid overwhelming yourself with unrealistic goals. Start small, but be consistent.
- If you want to improve your ṣalāh, add one sunnah prayer and maintain it.
- If you want to fast more, begin with one Monday or one Thursday.
- If you want to read Qur’ān, start with one page a day.
Small steps, taken steadily, transform a person.
Another essential principle: write your plan down. Do not leave it floating in your mind — the mind is crowded, distracted, and easily overwhelmed. Put your goals somewhere visible, neat, and clear. Review them daily. Visualise them. Track your progress.
And share your goals with those close to you — your spouse, your children, your friends. When your circle knows your aims, they can support you, remind you, and encourage you.
Closing Prayer
We ask Allah subḥānahu wa taʿālā to help us write our plans, to bless our intentions, and to grant us the ability to prepare for the future with sincerity, wisdom, and steadfastness.
May He make this coming year a year of growth, clarity, service, and nearness to Him.