Our Resolutions With Imam (atfs) for the coming year.

15th of Shabaan is the best time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we need to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

When we look at ourselves, we realize that it is easier said than done. It is quite effortless to make a resolution but one has to bear the burden of mountains on one’s heads in order to fulfill it.

Here we present a small resolution keeping in mind the goals for the next year. To improve one own self, to make one self capable of becoming a true servant of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s).

1. Improvement in our Akhlaaq:

Allah(swt) says in Holy Quran,
Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much. (33 : 21)

This year promise your Imam (atfs) that you will improve your character by not just following any one action of Holy Prophet (saws) but implementing it in your life permanently.

2. Recitation of the Quran with reflection:

Holy Quran is for mankind, a "compass" in the turbulent voyage of life, as it has explained itself in the following verses:

"....Indeed, there has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah; With it Allah guides him who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by His will and guides them to the right path." 
(5 : 15-16)

Therefore, Let us ponder and reflect over at least 10 ayah per week.

3. Scale yourself & get more done than you thought possible.

Imam al-Naqi (as) said:
"Whoever does not scrutinize his actions daily does not belong to us; then if, he found that he has performed some righteous deeds, he should request God Almighty to increase His grace, and in case if he has done an evil act, he should seek pardon from God Almighty by offering repentance." (Ref - Wasail al-Shia, vol.11, p.377)

Imam Ali al-Ridha (as) said:
"He who reckons his own soul is successful;  he who is heedless of it is unsuccessful." (Ref - Al-kafi v.2, p.111)

Check your own self on daily basis and make commitments to your own self.

4. Learn to implement your knowledge:

Holy Prophet (saww) says,  A little bit of action accompanied by knowledge is useful, and a lot of deeds followed by ignorance is of no use. (Ref - Nahjul Fasaha)

Try to implement whatever you know first rather than acquiring more and more.

5. Spend more time in Service of Imam Mahdi (atfs):

Imam Jafar as Sadiq (A.S.) said,
"If I am able to reach him, I shall serve him for my whole life." (Ref - Ghaibat-e-Nomani Pg.245)

Thank Allah for giving us this opportunity & serve your master (a.t.f.s) as much as you can.

6. Remembering Imam Mahdi (A.S.) a lot.

Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.) said, regarding his son Imam Mahdi (atfs)
"And know that! Those who are obedient and pious will rush towards him like the birds head for their nests." (Ref - Kamaaluddin vol.2 Pg.448)

7. Praying More for Early Reappearance Of Imam Mahdi (A.S.)

Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.) said,
"By Allah they do not truly wish for his reappearance, and do not attain salvation. Except those, whom Allah the High and the Mighty, has made firm upon the sayings of their Imams, and gave them the tawfeeq (opportunity) to pray for the hastening of the reappearance." (Ref - Kamaaluddin vol.2 Pg.384)

Imam Mahdi (A.S.) says:
"And pray more for an early reappearance. For certainly, in it, is your success." (Ref - Kamaaluddin vol.2 Pg.485)

8. Unity among shia believers

Imam Mahdi (A.S.) said.
"If our shias; may Allah help them in His obedience; would have fulfilled their covenant with united hearts then there would have been no delay in our meeting, and they would have been blessed with our visitation at the earliest, along with the recognition of truth and confirmation of our rights." (Ref - Al Ihtejaj vol.2 Pg.602)

Unity should start at family level. Lets reduce disputes with our family members which includes our wife, children, brothers, sisters, parents, relatives etc. Lets reconcile with those whom we have fought in our house or in our society.

9. Praying Wajib Salah on Time

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) said:
He is cursed (twice) he who delays performing the early morning prayer until the stars disappear (the sun rises). (Ref - Bihar al-Anwar Ch.52, P.16)

Finally as Imam (atfs) says, we must also pray to Allah:
O Allah, bestow upon us the success of obedience, the avoidance of disobedience, sincerity and knowledge of the forbidden; and confer upon us guidance and straightness.