With the new year on the horizon, many of our Muslim brothers and sisters will unfortunately find themselves engaging in various ḥaram activities and participating in festivities that go against the teachings of Islam.
For that short period of time, concern for Deen and its commandments is pushed aside. What begins as “just for the moment” gradually turns into a habit, a quiet but steady following of Western culture, all for temporary pleasure. In the process, the nafs is satisfied, desires are fulfilled, ḥaya (modesty) is weakened, and imaan slowly erodes.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiʿun.
It is that time again when many of our youth lose sight of what is truly best for their imaan, their Deen, and their Akhirah. They convince themselves that taking a “small glimpse” into the lifestyle of the kuffar is harmless. “I’m just observing,” they say. “Nothing will happen to my Deen.” Yet they fail to realize that the very act of observing with desire is already a step into the trap of temptation, a trap that rarely stops at just one look or one experience.
Deen is neglected under the excuse of partying and fitting in. There is little remorse, little fear (khauf), and little reflection on what is being committed. Worse still, sincere advice begins to irritate them. Islam is suddenly labeled “too strict,” and those who remind them of Allah and the Hereafter are seen as judgmental or backward.
The nafs overpowers the heart, while negative environments and bad company sweep our brothers and sisters off their feet. What feels like freedom today often becomes regret tomorrow, but by then, the damage may already be done.
Allah Ta’ala has forbidden certain actions for a reason. Nothing in Islam is prohibited without wisdom. Whatever Allah keeps us away from is ultimately for our protection, our dignity, and our success. The barakah of obedience is only felt when we submit wholeheartedly and practice Deen as it was meant to be practiced.
SubhanAllah
Rasūlullāh ﷺ warned us of a time of confusion and division when he said:
“The Bani Israel was split into seventy-two sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one.”
It was asked, “Who will that be, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied: “Those who follow what I and my Companions are upon.”
Sunan at-Tirmidhī, Hadith
This hadith is not meant to frighten us into despair, but to awaken us. Success does not lie in following trends, crowds, or calendars. It lies in following the Qur’ān, the Sunnah, and the path of the Sahābah رضي الله عنهم, even when it feels lonely, even when it feels difficult.
As we step into a new year, the real question is not how we celebrate, but who we follow. Are we following our nafs, society, and fleeting desires, or are we following Muhammad ﷺ?
May Allah Ta’ala protect us from the fitnah of this dunya, safeguard our Imaan, grant us true understanding of His Deen, and bless us with istiqamah until our last breath.Aameen.
