
Most people make New Year's resolutions, but about 90% fail to keep them beyond two weeks. This is a well-discussed topic among psychologists. A primary reason for this failure is that people crave immediate results - يحبون العاجلة- instant gratification. When they don't receive it, they quit pursuing their goals.

Another significant reason for the failure of these resolutions is that people often set collective and competitive goals. They draw inspiration from others in their social circle and set objectives, but hardly anyone reaches the endpoint. This is because they haven't internalized their goals. They lack the roadmap for actualization.
(https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/2025/01/01/new-year-make-resolutions)

I've experienced this myself. I once read a tweet saying, 'Alhamdulillah, I didn't miss a single Tahajjud prayer this year.' I read it with envy, wondering how someone could maintain such consistency. I thought I'd try too, but I failed miserably. My entire year had barely two months of consistent Tahajjud prayers.

Upon reflection, I realized I had approached Tahajjud as an exercise, focusing on waking up at midnight to pray a certain number of rakats. However, I hadn't taken the first step on the path that leads to this habit. My motivation was superficial, sparked by that tweet, rather than a genuine desire to cultivate this practice. 

Allah SWT didn't even approve of this approach for the Quran. Revelation wasn't just about reciting the Quran; if it were, Allah wouldn't have told His beloved Prophet (PBUH) to slow down with the revelation. Instead, Allah SWT provided a roadmap for the Quran: gathering, recitation, following, and clarification. (جمع، قرأۃ، اتباع، بیان)
These four steps marked the journey from revelation to realization.
These same four steps are crucial for the actualization of our goals. Whether it's establishing a consistent Tahajjud prayer, reciting and memorizing the Quran, or any other objective, it requires more than just physical effort. It demands a continuous exercise of both heart and mind, a relentless pursuit that drives us to reach the ultimate goal.

So we are faced with two choices: either chase the elusive dream of instant gratification or embark on a journey of unwavering resolve, prioritizing long-term fulfillment and striving for goals that yield eternal triumph. 
May Allah SWT guide us to set goals that are worthy of pursuit, as we strive to emulate the noble values of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and may we remain steadfast in our obedience to his revered teachings.

JazakAllah khayran kaseera, for such a wonderful reminder.!

'Race toward the forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.' (57:21)


Allah tells us to race to His forgiveness and then, right after that, He gives us a simple portrayal of the vastness of Paradise, almost as if by linking them we should try to picture in our minds how big and great Allah's forgiveness is, to feel a greater desire to race to His forgiveness.


But, if we look at the world today, what are most people running after?


They are running after the best cars, houses, luxury, money, their idols, social media, TikTok, Netflix, drama, and all things which do not have value in terms of getting them closer to Allah SWT. These things only give them a temporary surge of pleasure in their brains; they are racing for that fleeting dopamine experience but not for Allah's forgiveness, which is the best and everlasting experience.


But if they truly knew the value and importance of Allah's forgiveness, and how little time that they have in this present life, then I think that they would certainly be more eager to race towards it.


For example, if people were told that there is an amazing new item that has come out and there's a special discount for that for a limited time, they will rush to buy that item before the time runs out.


Likewise, if people believed and they truly understood the value of Allah's Mercy and the relatively shortness of this life, they would race for it every way possible. They would not race for the small things that they go after, as Allah says in another verse:


وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ


'Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy, the fleeting splendor of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision in the Hereafter is far better and more lasting.' (20:131)


#RacetoForgiveness

لأن الدنيا نعيمها ولذاتها عاجلة، والإنسان مولع بحب العاجل، والآخرة متأخر ما فيها من النعيم المقيم؛ فلذلك غفلتم عنها وتركتموها كأنكم لم تخلقوا لها، وكأن هذه الدار هي دار القرار التي تبذل فيها نفائس الأعمار، ويسعى لها آناء الليل والنهار، وبهذا انقلبت عليكم الحقيقة، وحصل من الخسار ما حصل. السعدي: 900.
السؤال: ما سبب حب الإنسان للحياة العاجلة وتركه لنعيم الآخرة؟

* يمكنك وضع إجابتك عن الأسئلة في التعليقات حتى تعمّ الفائدة

* للمزيد عن هذه الآية في مصحف تدبر وعمل: https://altadabbur.com/#aya=75_20

#وقفة_تدبرية

JUZ 29
RAMADHAN WILL LEAVE US BUT MAY WE NEVER  LEAVE RAMADHAN
Let those who worship Ramadhan know that Ramadhan will leave  
But  for those who worship Allah, they know that Allah is The Ever-Living.

JUZ 29 closes Ramadhan with the call for da'wah.
Juz 29 gives a checklist on how to spread The Quran as 'Hudan linnaas'; a Guide for all humanity.

Al Mulk : is reiterating our responsibility to spread the Quran far and wide, even with one ayah.
Al Qalam ayat 14 : tells us that da'wah with the best actions emanating from the best akhlak is way better than a thousand words.
Al Haqqah ayat 44-47 : deals with the integrity of person doing da'wah (da’ie) and the content of the da'wah
Nuh : inspiring the high standard for patience in da'wah
Al Jin : puts the stress on sound knowledge and good listening skills to have maximum input for da'wah
Al Muzzammil : stresses on the night worship when the Quran hits the heart of the da'ie before he goes out to touch others’ hearts 
Al Muddaththir : talks of character building for the da'ie to be out of his comfort zone and to avoid bad character
Al Qiyamah : pushes for the commitment to learn from teachers and to source  expert transmission of knowledge (talaqqi) from a mentor
Al Insan : tells us of the ultimate motivation for the da'ie is his eventual meeting with Allah SWT in the paradise of Zanjabila where Allah SWT will appreciate him for his services
Al-Mursalat Ayat 4-5 : likens the da'ie to  raindrops that fall slowly and gently rejuvenating the dead earth

Barakallaahu fikum.

#JUZ29 #Ramadhan

Thank you Ustaz Syaari for your sharing of knowledge.  

♦ Mentioning the Day of Judgement and Death Together

    In part of a discussion regarding surah al-Qamar, sheikh al-Islam ibn Taymiyah highlighted the following stylistic feature of the Qur’an:

     والله تعالى في كتابه يجمع بين ذكر القيامة الكبرى والصغرى كما في سورة الواقعة ذكر في أولها القيامة الكبرى وفي آخرها القيامة الصغرى وذلك كثير في سور القرآن مثل سورة ق وسورة القيامة وسورة التكاثر وسورة الفجر وغير ذلك

    Throughout His Book, Allah has often mentioned both the Day of Judgement and death together. Take, for example, surah al-Waqi’ah [56] – He mentioned the Day of Judgement in the beginning of the surah and death at the end.

    This [i.e. jointly mentioning the Day of Judgement and death] can be found in many surahs throughout the Qur’an, such as surah Qaf [50], surah al-Qiyamah [75], surah al-Takathur [102], surah al-Fajr [89], and others.

    [al-Jawab al-Saheeh 1/424]