Welcoming the New Year with Reflection

In his Friday Sermon of December 30, 2016, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) observed that the beginning of the new year is often marked by noise, frivolity, and worldly celebration. He advised believers that a new year should instead inspire thoughtful self-examination, sincere prayer, and a renewed commitment to spiritual progress. He said: 

“A believer’s true dignity is that he should not only avoid such frivolous activities and express his dislike for them, but also pause to take account of himself. A year entered his life and then departed. What did it leave behind for us, and what did it take away? What did we lose, and what did we gain?

“A believer must look, even from a worldly perspective, at what he lost and gained and whether there was any improvement in his worldly condition. But he must also look from the spiritual and religious perspective. And if he is to assess himself spiritually, he must do so according to the right standard so that he may clearly see what was lost and what was gained. …

“If we end the last night of the year and begin the new one with reflection and prayer, we will be among those who safeguard their final end. But if we too begin the new year with superficial congratulations and worldly talk, then we will have lost a great deal and gained nothing or very little.

“If weaknesses still remain and our self-assessment does not give us comfort, then we should pray that our coming year does not resemble the past in spiritual weakness. Rather, every step we take should be a step taken to attain the pleasure of Allah the Exalted. Rather, each step should be taken for the pleasure of Allah the Exalted. Each day should be spent following the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And our days and nights should draw us closer to fulfilling our pledge of bai’at with the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).”