The Final Questions: Begining Muhharam Right

As the sun sets on the year 1447 AH, we stand at a moment that few people stop to reflect upon. We often celebrate the beginning of a new year, make plans, set goals, and think about what is ahead. But before we rush into 1448 AH, there are some final questions we must ask ourselves.

• Not questions from society.

• Not questions from our friends.

• Not questions from our employers.

But questions that our souls must answer before Allah. Because every year that passes is not simply another number. It is a portion of our life that will never return.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And He it is who made the night and the day succeed one another for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude."

Every passing day is a reminder. Every passing month is a reminder. Every passing year is a reminder. We are moving closer to our meeting with Allah.

Where Did This Year Go?

Think back to the beginning of 1447 AH.

• What were your hopes?

• What were your goals?

• What promises did you make to Allah?

• What has changed?

For some, this year brought joy. For others, it brought hardship. For some, it brought success. For others, it brought tests. But regardless of what happened, the year has passed. And one day our entire life will feel the same way.

The Prophet ﷺ said that on the Day of Judgment, people will feel as though they remained in the world only a short while. The years that once felt long will seem like moments. The decades will feel like days.

The dunya is temporary. The akhirah is forever.

Did I Move Closer to Allah?

This is perhaps the most important question.

• Not how much money did I make?

• Not how many followers did I gain?

• Not how much recognition did I receive?

But did I move closer to Allah? Is my salah stronger today than it was a year ago? Is my relationship with the Qur'an stronger? Have I increased in sincerity? Have I increased in patience? Have I increased in gratitude?

Because success in Islam is not measured by worldly achievements. Success is measured by closeness to Allah. If a year passes and our connection with Allah has grown, then it was a successful year regardless of worldly outcomes.

If This Was My Last Year, Would I Be Ready?

My brothers and sisters, many people began 1447 AH with us. Today they are no longer here. Some were young. Some were old. Some expected many more years.

But death does not wait for permission. Death does not consult our schedules. Death arrives exactly when Allah has decreed.

Imagine if tonight was the final night of your life.

• Would you be satisfied with your preparation?

• Would there be deeds you wish you had done?

• Sins you wish you had abandoned?

• People you wish you had forgiven?

The Prophet ﷺ advised us to live in this world as travelers. Travelers do not become attached to temporary stops. Their eyes remain fixed on their destination. And our destination is not this dunya. Our destination is Allah.

What Will Follow Me Into the Grave?

Everything we chase in this world will eventually leave us. Our possessions will remain behind. Our titles will remain behind. Our status will remain behind. Even our loved ones will accompany us only so far.

The Prophet ﷺ taught us that three things follow the deceased: his family, his wealth, and his deeds. Two return, and one remains. His deeds remain.

Think about that. When 1447 AH is recorded in your book of deeds, what will be written there?

• How many prayers?

• How many acts of charity?

• How many tears shed in repentance?

• How many moments spent remembering Allah?

Because those deeds are the true investment that never loses value.

What Legacy Am I Leaving Behind?

Every one of us is writing a story. Every action is a sentence. Every day is a page. Every year is a chapter.

What chapter was 1447 AH for you? Was it a chapter of growth? Repentance? Service? Learning? Returning to Allah? Or was it a chapter lost in distraction?

The beautiful thing about Islam is that no matter what the chapter looked like, Allah allows us to begin a new one. Through sincere tawbah, Allah can transform our story.

• A sinner can become a righteous servant.

• A heedless heart can become a heart full of remembrance.

• A distant servant can become one beloved by Allah.

The Final Question

And now we come to the final question. The question that matters more than any other.

If I stand before Allah today, what answer will I give Him?

One day we will all stand before our Lord. No wealth. No followers. No excuses. No hiding. Only ourselves and our deeds. Allah will ask us about our lives. Our time. Our blessings. Our knowledge. Our actions. And on that day, every second of our lives will matter. Including every second of 1447 AH.

Turning the Page

My dear brothers and sisters, as we close this year, let us not merely turn a calendar page. Let us turn a page in our hearts.

• Leave behind the sins.

• Leave behind the excuses.

• Leave behind the procrastination.

• Leave behind the distractions.

Enter 1448 AH with sincerity. Enter it with purpose. Enter it with repentance. Enter it with a renewed commitment to Allah. Because we do not know whether we will see the end of 1448 AH. We may not even see the end of this month.

But we do know this:

• The best preparation for tomorrow is obedience today.

• The best preparation for death is righteousness today.

• The best preparation for meeting Allah is turning back to Him today.

May Allah forgive our shortcomings throughout 1447 AH. May Allah accept our good deeds. May Allah erase our sins. May Allah grant us sincere repentance. May Allah allow 1448 AH to be a year of faith, guidance, mercy, and closeness to Him. And may Allah gather us together in Jannatul Firdaus with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Ameen.