The last days of Zulhijjah always feel different.
The spirit of Qurban, the prayers of the pilgrims and the remembrance of Allah slowly fade into the distance. Then, quietly, Muharam arrives and a new Islamic year begins.
Perhaps this is Allah’s way of reminding us that every ending is also a chance to begin again.
The arrival of 1448H is not about making big promises that we forget a few weeks later. It is a moment of muhasabah—to pause and ask ourselves:
Allah SWT says:
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
(Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)
Real change begins with the heart.
Many of us want to do more—read more Qur’an, give more charity, pray more, become better parents and better Muslims. But Islam teaches us that lasting change is not built through grand gestures.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Perhaps our resolution for 1448H does not have to be extraordinary.
One page of Qur’an a day.
A small weekly charity.
A sincere dua before leaving for work.
A phone call to our parents.
A prayer never missed.
Small deeds done with istiqamah shape our hearts and, by the mercy of Allah, shape our future.
As we leave Zulhijjah behind, let us carry its spirit with us.
Not for one month.
Not for one season.
But for a lifetime.
May Allah grant us sincere intentions, steadfast hearts and the strength to take one small step towards Him every single day.
