Thinking before planning: a short self-evaluation guide

[We recommend that you spare time to think 4 weeks before the new year. You can use this guide for your thinking process. Perhaps you want to take one section a day. Then take a week’s break before you move on to the planning for the next year which should be ready before the new year begins. It will be very good if the rest of the family participates in the process by sitting together thinking, wondering, and planning. The first and the second section can be shared with the family. However, the last section must be kept very private even within the family.]

Prophet, peace be upon him said, The wise person is the one who evaluates himself and works for what comes after death. Sunan al Tirmidhi 

Khalifa Omar, told us: Audit yourself before you are taken to account on the Day of Judgement. May Allah be pleased with him.

End of a year is a great time to do a quick evaluation of where we are, where we've been, and what we've got to change. Below is a short self-evaluation form that can guide you through the process. 

The goal is to ensure that we gain, maintain, and expand the blessings of this life and the Next in how we use our time and energy. This is comprehensively expressed in this oft-used Dua (supplication) from the Quran: 

                    “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the good of the everlasting life and protect us from the torment of the Fire” (Quran 2:201).

                    “Rabbana atena fid dunya hasanataw wa fil Akhirati hasanataw wa qina Adhabannar.”

So let’s use this dua as a guide for our self-evaluation: 

Self-Evaluation Step #1:
The Good Of This World

A. YOUR EDUCATION

Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Al Quran, 39:9

• Are you satisfied with your current level of education and your profession?
• Have you furthered your career by learning the latest information about your field? 
• If you are a student, are you satisfied with your level of commitment to your studies? 
• If you are a student, do you feel your current course of study will offer you solid options for employment and success in the future? Hadith: Be eager for what benefits you, Sahih al Muslim.
• Are you satisfied with your children's level of education?

B. Personal Health & Hygiene 

Hadith: The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, Sahih Muslim

• How often do you engage in physical exercise? Daily? Weekly? 
• Are you eating thoughtfully. Remember the real stomach is only like a fist.
• Are there outstanding tests, check ups and procedures which could be threatening to your health. 
• Are you paying required attention to your mental health and wellbeing? 
• Are you complying with your doctor’s guidelines. 
• Have you shared your health concerns with a family member close to you?

C. YOUR MONEY

Hadith: “Whose two days are equal is a loser”

• Did you make more money as compared to last year? 
• Did you develop a budget for this year?
• How did you spend the money? Are you satisfied with this? 
• Are you keeping up with the professional development in your field?
• Have you grown your business this year better than the last? 

D. YOUR CAREER

• Are you struggling right now? What parts of your work role are difficult or frustrating?
• Where do you want to be in the next few years?
• Are you happy with your career?
• Do you need to change the direction of your career?
• What skills can you learn to advance in your career?

E. YOUR FAMILY

Prophet, peace be upon him, said, The best of you are the best to their families and I am the best of you to my family. Sunan al- Tirmidhi 

• Is your relationship with your immediate family better this year than the last year?
• Are you spending quality time with your children?
• Is your family running on a shura model?
• Are you in regular contact with relatives?
• Are you holding any grudges against anyone in your family?
• Do you keep in touch with your extended family?

F. YOUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Hadith: The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others, al-Tabrani

• Are you a good neighbor?
• Is your property increasing value for your neighbor’s property?
• Were you a good citizen this year?
• Do you know your elected leaders in your village or your city?
• Did you volunteer your time and money for any beneficial cause (i.e. the fight against violence, drugs, pornography, etc.)?
• Did you call or wrote to your congressperson this year?                                       

Self-Evaluation Step #2:
The Good Of The Next Life

Seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and yet, do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." (Quran 28:77)

This worldly life is only temporary enjoyment and indeed the Hereafter is the home of permanent settlement. (Quran 40:39) 

A. WHERE DO YOU STAND TODAY

• Do you feel you are better Muslim today than the beginning of the year?
• Do you think that this year you engaged more with zikr and shukr?

B. LEARNING AND REMINDING OURSELVES WITH ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE

• Are you able to understand the Quran your read or Imam recites in the prayers?
• Did you take any formal or structured Islamic classes online or offline over the last 12 months?
• When was it last time when you read a book about the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
• Are you satisfied with your children’s level of Islamic knowledge? If not, what are some weak points to focus on in the coming year?

C. THE FIRST PILLAR OF ISLAM: SHAHADAH

• Have you read anything about the first pillar of Islam?
• Do you understand what Shahadah means?
• How many people know about Islam this year because of you?
• Are you a good witness to Islam with your character at your workplace?
• Are your neighbors comfortable talking to you about your faith?
• Is there a person who you helped recite shahadah due to your dawah/efforts?

D. 4 OTHER PILLERS OF ISLAM

• Did you offer all the Fard (obligatory) prayers in this year?
• Have you taken your children or spouse to the Masjid?
• Were you able to fast last Ramadan?
• Did you make up any missed fasts from this or previous Ramadans? 
• Did you pay your Zakat this year?
• How much did you give in charity other than Zakat?
• Did you fulfill your duty to perform Hajj once in the lifetime?

E. HALAL, HARAM, & MAKROOH

• Are you earning a Halal income?
• Are you involved in paying or earning interest? 
• Do you avoid watching shows where f bombs are dropped?
• Do you turn off the TV or YouTube when something pops up which the Prophet will not approve of?
• Are you able to guard your tongue from falsehood?
• Are you sure you are eating halal
• Have you lied to someone?
• Are you involved in riba?
• Do you focus your eyes on haram instead of lowering your gaze?

Self-Evaluation Step #3:
Saving Ourselves From the Hellfire

So, will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is forgiving and merciful. Al Quran,5:74

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (Quran 39:53)

A. YOUR SINS

• Are you involved in any major sin?
• Do you know what major sins are?
• Have you committed any smaller sins?
• Have you violated anyone’s rights?

B. Tauba & Isteghfar

• Do you regret the sins you committed?
• Have you resolved never to commit that sin again?
• Have you done tauba?
• Have you sought forgiveness of people you might have hurt?
• Have you sought forgiveness of God Almighty for your sins?

Compensation to wipe out sins

And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember. (Quran 11:114)

• Have you done good deeds to wipe out the bad deed.
• Have you done more charity to compensate for your wrong doings? 

May Allah, Al Samee and Al Baseer forgive our shortcomings and our sins. May He continue to guide us on the straight path. Ameen

[Once you have done your own self-evaluation, it is time to offer to thank Allah dua, nafil salat or a day of fasting and move on to developing your personal plan.]