With only a few days left to enter a new Gregorian year, this week, Crescent Moon Bookstore lists seven practical and sustainable resolutions to work towards as a Muslim family.
As we write this blog, our Palestinian brothers and sisters are suffering unimaginably at the hands of the occupying Israeli forces. Please consider donating to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, a credible organization providing relief and assistance in the region. If you are looking for books that talk to kids about Palestine, here is our latest book listing that celebrates Palestinian stories and authors.
With days to go before we enter a new Gregorian year, people around the world sit down to re-evaluate, reflect, and realign their life goals. Alhamdulillah, our faith encourages us to do this daily, and we find proof of this in how Muslims are rewarded for renewing their intentions or niyyah in every act they do.
However, with the New Year comes a new chance to sit down with your kids and take note of how the year has been for you- as individuals and as a family. It can be a springboard to talk to your kids about sustainable goal-setting aligned with our faith.
Working towards achieving realistic life goals is an essential life skill that Muslim children must learn. Discussing aims and goals with your kids can also open up the crucial topic of divine destiny or Qadr and how to be content with what Allah SWT decides for us.
Read on as Crescent Moon Bookstore uncovers our Islamic take on seven New Year's Resolutions you can make with your Muslim family in 2024!
Resolve to Learn About the Islamic New Year
If not now, when? Use this time to explain to your kids how the Islamic calendar works. Teach them about the phases of the Moon and how Muslims use it to determine each month. Moon’s Ramadan and The Month That Makes a Year are thoughtfully written books that you can use as starting points to talk about the waxing and waning of the Moon that signifies the start and finish of Islamic months.
Resolve to Safeguard Your Daily Salah
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it 5 times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?" The people said, "No." The Prophet (PBUH) then said, "That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them." (Al-Bukhari)
The five daily prayers have innumerable benefits, both apparent and hidden.
Renew your intentions to perform the obligatory Salah without fail in 2024, and as a Muslim family, resolve to perform voluntary ones like the Taraweeh and the Eid Salah in the congregation.
You can motivate kids not to miss their daily Salah by gifting them attractive, kid-friendly prayer mats and teaching them to use a weekly Salah Tracker to keep a record of their prayers. Download a FREE Salah Tracker here, now!
Resolve to Practice Gratitude to Allah SWT
How often have you felt “less than” after scrolling aimlessly through Instagram? Unfortunately, we exist in a world where everybody seems to be showcasing picture-perfect lives. Comparisons and competitions have become the norm, undoubtedly deteriorating our spiritual and social contentment levels.
Allah SWT mentions in the Holy Quran,
“And do not stretch your eyes to that which We have given them to enjoy; (this is) the splendor of the life of the world that We may try them in it; and the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.” (20:131)
This year, renew your intentions to appreciate Allah’s SWT blessings already in your lives. Use this chance to discuss the concept of being grateful to your children despite going through tough times. A book like Mr. Gamal’s Gratitude Glasses works wonderfully to inspire kids to reflect on the idea of Shukr.
Resolve to Maintain Family Ties
"Anyone who wishes that his sustenance be expanded, and his age extended should do kindness to his near relatives." (Sunan Abi Dawud)
Silat Al Rahm, or maintaining good ties with your family, is highly emphasized in Islam. Unfortunately, in many Muslim homes today, keeping good relations with extended families is becoming less common. Talk about this vital branch of our faith with your kids and allow them to evaluate where they think you stand in this aspect. Together, intend sincerely to seek Allah’s SWT pleasure and work towards fixing estranged ties and strengthening existing ones.
Make the extra effort to meet up with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents whenever possible, exchange gifts, give them their due rights, and strengthen Islamic values in your family.
Resolve to Build Your Relation with the Quran
If we were to compare the time we spend on our devices idly versus the time we spend with the Quran, many of us would be embarrassed. The significance of reciting the Holy words of Allah SWT is beyond compare. The Quran is a means of healing, both physical and spiritual, a means of sustenance, a means of invoking Allah’s SWT mercy, and a means of attaining everlasting Paradise. Learning the Quran and teaching it to others has immense rewards.
The Prophet PBUH is reported to have said,
“One who recites the Qur’an proficiently is associated with the noble and pious scribes. As for him who stammers when reciting the Qur’an and finds it difficult, he will be granted a double reward” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
And,
“The best among you [Muslims] are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Al-Bukhari)
So, this year, make it a point to huddle with your family and recite the Quran as often as you can. Revise previously learned Surahs and memorize new ones. Here is our recent blog on how you can help your kids memorize the Quran!
Resolve to Put Family First
After our relationship with Allah SWT, a strong family bond is possibly the most important aspect of our lives to work on this year. As parents wearing several hats, we often focus on providing the most for them, but we forget that they need our presence more.
So, in 2024, resolve to be more mindful of giving your “selves” and your time to your family. This can be anything from looking at your kids when they are talking to you or enjoying a daily meal together, to even reading their favorite book. Click here to go through our most loved books of 2023 and take your pick!
Resolve to Give More in Sadaqah
“Charitable men and charitable women who have loaned Allah a good loan—it will be multiplied for them, and for them is a generous reward.” (Quran 57:18)
Sadaqah is an essential part of our deen. And it is extremely simple too. For instance, Sadaqah can be anything from speaking sweet words of encouragement to your son before a game to inviting friends over for dinner. Sadaqah purifies our hearts, and when done with the intention of pleasing Allah SWT, it can transform our lives. This year, make sure to seek more opportunities to do Sadaqah. These can include:
- Sponsoring an orphan
- Donating to your local mosque
- Help build a hospital
- Building a water well
- Feeding the hungry
Books are an excellent way to inspire children to do good. The Blessed Pomegranates and Halal Hot Dogs are some of Crescent Moon Bookstore’s favorites on Sadaqah and giving. You can check out more books here.
Goal setting or “making resolutions” can help Muslim families with young children learn crucial Islamic personality development skills like self-evaluation, self-reflection, and self-awareness. It strengthens decision-making capacities and develops a sense of direction for young Muslims.
With this, we wrap up the last blog post for 2023, and we thank Allah SWT for giving us the opportunity to quell inquisitive minds and spread cheer through our books. We thank you for supporting us with so much love and appreciation. Stay tuned to Crescent Moon Bookstore as we are excited to bring you countless new titles for 2024!