سمعنا. متى نطيع؟

We hear. When will we obey?

Assalāmu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullāh.

By the will of Allāh, the night has turned into day as did a hundred nights before and as will a hundred nights to come in shā Allāh; The Gregorian calendar has changed numbers as it always has and as it always will. And unlike the two Eids and other recognizable days of importance in Islām, the 1st of January is undoubtedly one which was never acknowledged by the Prophet (ﷺ) or the early generations.

It is unnerving that as Muslims we go out of our way to celebrate this day and when it comes to the two Eids, we spread memes and jokes on how we will be “sleeping in”. If Eid prayers were held at midnight, would we turn out as we do in the chilling night to count down to 00:00 and watch fireworks?

Year after year, we come across reminders on the impermissibility of such celebrations and still never cease to celebrate and congratulate each other on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and other unislamic events. How many more reminders until we take heed? How many more reminders until we leave off imitating the kuffār? We read and hear so many reminders on a daily, but how many more until we pray on time, leave off backbiting, quit listening to music or don the hijāb?

We listen to lecture after lecture, we come across short reminders on social media that we read or watch (on days when we feel a bit motivated not to tap through or scroll past), and yet turn away. It’s almost as if we have selective amnesia that makes us forget reminders, but seems to let us remember everyone’s birthday.

We hear of Allāh’s commands and prohibitions and after five minutes or five days of fatwa shopping, we choose to follow those that make the impermissible permissible. Sometimes we do not even take the time out to research, وعصينا (and we disobey). How do we stand on the same plane as those who say “سمعنا وأطعنا (we hear and we obey)” and hope for the same mercy?

It is not a coincidence that Allāh continues to shine bits of guidance on our paths.

How many more until we pay heed?