Momentum of the New Year: Reflections on Muhasabah and Tazkirah to Become a Better Person

The end of 2024 is fast approaching. The gates of 2025 are fast approaching. In the Gregorian calendar, December 31, 2024, coincides with the 30th of the month. Last Jumada1446 years Hijri. That is, 1 Rajab 1446 Hijri falls on January 1, 2025, to be precise, tomorrow, Wednesday.

In Islam the month Hijri, the entry of a new month or year is marked by the entry of evening time when evening prayer (Maghrib prayer) arrives. This means that the Hijri calendar starts from the 1st of the month of Hijri and the year is not the same as the month and year as in the Gregorian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, the change begins at 12:01 a.m.

Because the majority of Muslims now use the Gregorian calendar, many Muslims are caught off guard and celebrate the New Year, which falls at 12:01 a.m., even though in Islam the New Year has already passed, on the 1st of January. Sacred 1446 Hijri. World paradigm modern has shifted the Islamic culture which was once the identity of Muslims and is gradually being eroded.

Young Generation and Apathy

Young people and the majority Muslim community have been carried away by the current of culture modern, It's as if they're being forced to abandon their Islamic identity and culture. This is undeniable, as the world's current orientation is toward European nations, which live in freedom and refuse to be constrained by religious rules and beliefs. modern its characteristics are apathetic on religious rules that are considered to restrict freedom.

Many of today's young Muslims are apathetic about their Islamic identity. They are forced to abandon their faith simply to appear more modern. In fact, modernization is a hedonistic trap for fragile, soul-barren humans. Happiness is sought and created by oneself, without wanting to be confined by God's laws.

Today, it is indeed difficult to stem the tide of modernization sweeping across Muslim society. Even if there is advice or reminders to return to divine law or the rules of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, they are considered old-fashioned, too religious, or will use satire "Ahh.. Don't be too obedient, while you're still young, while you're not old, have fun first, relax for now, friend, enjoy this life" That's how the younger generation jokes.

Choosing Positive Activities

However, on the other hand, some young Muslims do not want to party and get caught up in the superficial New Year celebrations. Instead, they create positive programs and activities by inviting Ustadz or preacher famous in a halaqah or religious studies to strengthen Islam. Young Muslims like this tend to be more aware and don't want to get caught up in celebrations that are too formal. tabzîr or redundant riot.

How beautiful it would be, to use the New Year moment as a moment for self-reflection. Self-reflection And condolences for our negligence in the previous year. Increase ask for forgiveness, strengthening religious understanding, increasing good deeds, and so on. The most important thing is to increase prayers to Allah, as it coincides with the month of Rajab 1446 Hijri. One of the prayers taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is:

God bless you رَمَضَانَ

“"“O Allah, bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha'ban, and bring us together with the month of Ramadan“"“

Prayer This teaches Muslims to always seek blessings in the 4 (four) months forbidden (noble) Zulqa'dah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and the month of Rajab. Even in the Koran, these four haram (noble) months are mentioned in letters at-Taubah verse 36.

God willing عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

“"“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months, (as) Allah decreed (in Lauhul Mahfuz) when He created the heavens and the earth, of which there are four haram months. That is the (decree of) a straight religion, so do not wrong yourselves in the fourth month“"“

In the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir: Fathul Karim Mukhtashar Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Adzhim. It was narrated from Abu Bakrah, that the Prophet SAW preached during the Hajj, he said, "Remember, in fact the times have been turning around as they have been since the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. One year consists of twelve months, of all the months there are four haram months, three of the four months in a row, namely Dzulqa'dah, Dzulhijjah, and Muharram; and Rajab Mudhar, which is between the months of Jumadil Akhir and Sya'ban"

The Word of Allah (That is the straight religion) is that sharia which is straight in the form of carrying out and following Allah's commands during the haram months based on what has been established in the first book of Allah.

Then, the word of Allah SWT which explains: (so do not wrong yourselves in the four months) that is in the sacred months, because in the sacred months the sins are more obvious and clear than in other months, just as sin in the holy city is multiplied, based on the word of Allah SWT: (and whoever is meant in it to do evil unjustly, We will surely make him taste some of the painful punishment) [QS.Surah Al-Hajj: 25]. Read the continuation of the verse at: https://tafsirweb.com/3052-surat-at-taubah-ayat-36.html

New Year is a reflection and a momentum to not be lazy and move around too much. (lazy), playing games on line, scroll video, and time-consuming activities. Access to devices shouldn't be more important than focusing on your primary task. Prioritize tasks over unclear routines.

In conclusion, let's approach New Year's celebrations without letting ourselves get carried away, without mistreating ourselves, or by plunging ourselves into sin and immorality. This is the best way to prevent the younger generation of Muslims from getting caught up in excessive celebrations. Self-reflection is essential for the glorious advancement of Islam. May 2025 be a better year than the previous one.

Rasulullah SAW reminded;

مَنْ كَانَ يَوْمُهُ خَيْرًا مِنْ أَمْسِهِ فَهُوَ رَابِحٌ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يَوْمُهُ مِثْلَ أَمْسِهَ فَهُوَ مَغْبُوْنَ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يَوْمُهُ شَرًّا مِنْ أَمْسِهِ فَهُوَ مَلْعُوْنَ ( رواه الحاكم)

Meaning: "Whoever's day is better than yesterday, he is among the fortunate, (and) whoever's day is the same as yesterday, he is among the losers, and even, whoever's day is worse than yesterday, he is among the unfortunate."

Image source google.com

Wallau'alam bish shawab