By Shaykh Abdul Qayum
27 December 2024

﷽

The holiday season is a gift from Allah – precious time for rest, reflection, and family. These moments of pause in our busy lives deserve careful thought about how we use them wisely and purposefully.

We all know how hectic modern life can be. Parents rush between work commitments while our children are buried in their studies or on their devices. Finding moments to connect as a family feels almost impossible some days. That’s why these holidays are so important – they’re our chance to pause and reconnect, not just with Allah, but also as a family.

We find it easy to think of rest as simply relaxation – sleeping late, watching TV, or scrolling through our phones. But Allah teaches us about purposeful rest. While relaxation is permitted and necessary, these holiday periods shouldn’t become days of waste and idleness. The Qur’an guides us beautifully in Surah Ash-Sharh (94:7): 

So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. 

This verse shows us the natural flow between completing our necessary rest and returning to worship, each having its proper time and place.

This reminds me of a beautiful hadith that really speaks to our modern struggles. A companion came to our beloved Prophet ﷺ worried about balancing family time with worship. The Prophet’s response? “Sa‘a wa sa‘a” – an hour for this, an hour for that. Isn’t that just perfect for our busy lives?

You know what really touches me? Imam al-Ghazali’s words about how even sleep can be worship. He said, “I hope for reward in my sleep as I hope for reward in my night prayer.” Think about that – even our rest can please Allah if our intention is right.

To our young ones who miss Jumu‘ah during term time – I see you back in the masjid now and it warms my heart. But let’s talk about those devices and games. I know they’re tempting, but remember what Allah commands us in Surah Al-Israa (17:23): 

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to parents.

Speaking of parents – and this really moves me – we conduct janazah prayers almost daily. There are children losing their parents every day. We never know how long we have with them. That’s why the Qur’an is so clear – don’t even say “uff” to them. Don’t raise your voice. Speak with nothing but respect.

Our Prophet ﷺ put it powerfully. When asked about the greatest sins, he listed disrespecting parents right after shirk. Think about that – it shows just how serious this is.

I love how the Qur’an teaches us to pray for our parents in Surah An-Naml (27:19): 

My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents.

Another beautiful du‘a in Surah Al-Israa (17:24) says:

My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.

Parents, we need to make home a place where our children want to be. I’m concerned when I see young people preferring friends over family. Let’s create those special moments – eating together, sharing stories about our grandparents, and making memories as a family.

And children, when you see your mother cleaning, grab that vacuum! When your father needs help, jump in. These small acts build strong families and please Allah.

These holidays are a gift, but like all gifts from Allah, they come with responsibility. Let’s use them to strengthen our families, deepen our worship, and thank Allah for His blessings. Remember – these precious moments with our loved ones won’t last forever. Let’s make them count.

May Allah help us use this blessed time to strengthen our family bonds, increase our worship, and grow in gratitude for His countless blessings. May He make us among those who are dutiful to their parents and raise children who are the coolness of our eyes. May He protect our families, guide our youth, and keep us firm on His path.

Ya Allah, we ask You to accept our efforts, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us the ability to make the most of every moment You have given us.

Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen.

---

Help us complete our Phase 3 expansion for the new prayer halls!