Don’t blame time—build discipline

The new year is here, and we are grateful for Allah’s grace and guidance thus far. At the same time, the teachings of Islam caution us against inveighing against the vicissitudes of time. Abu Huraira reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) conveyed Allah’s message that when a person curses “time,” they are in fact directing blame at the One who ordains events—because in Allah’s Hand are the night and the day.

In other words, time is not our enemy. Blaming it for our misfortunes, delays, or unfulfilled goals is spiritually and psychologically unhelpful. Instead, the new year should be treated as a moment of gratitude, self-accounting, and renewed intention.

Indeed, Islam does not teach passivity. The Qur’an reminds us in Surat Al-Isra (17:70) that Allah has honoured humankind and provided us with the capacity to discern, choose, and act responsibly. That honour is not merely status; it is responsibility.

It means we can reflect on our lives, set purposeful goals, and pursue improvement in ways that benefit not only ourselves but also our families and communities. If time is a trust, then how we use it must be guided by intention, wisdom, and disciplined action.

This is why goal-setting becomes so popular at the start of the year. Psychologists note that people are often motivated by renewed optimism, social influence, and an inner desire for self-improvement. In practical terms, our goals usually cluster around familiar areas: health and fitness (eating better, exercising), financial stability (saving, reducing debt), education and skill-building (learning, enrolling in a program), and personal growth (spending time with family, improving relationships).

For Muslims, goals may also include reciting and memorising the Qur’an, studying Hadith, strengthening prayer, improving character, and becoming more grounded in the teachings of faith.

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But here is the hard truth we rarely admit on January 1: setting goals is easy; living them is real work. Many resolutions—especially health and fitness—fade by February or March. The problem is not that people are lazy or that they “lack motivation.” More often, the problem is that they confuse intention with a plan.

They set goals that sound inspiring but remain vague: “I will live a healthy lifestyle,” “I will be financially stable,” “I will become more religious.” When the time comes to act, they discover that change is demanding, results are slow, and the excitement of a new year is not enough to carry them through discomfort. Spirits drop. They walk away.

The way forward is to be intrinsically driven toward one’s goal—driven by a sincere desire to be better and therefore do better. That inner drive must be paired with discipline. Discipline is not an emotion; it is a practice built through small, repeated actions. When goals are broken into small, achievable activities, each step creates a sense of progress, rewards the inner drive, and gradually forms habits.

Over time, those habits become a “system” that keeps one focused on the end goal—especially when motivation naturally rises and falls. This is also consistent with the Prophetic teaching that the deeds most beloved to Allah are those done regularly, even if small.

Take health and fitness. Instead of declaring, “I will get fit,” set a clear and realistic target: walk 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for eight weeks. Make it specific. Attach it to a routine (for example, after a particular prayer time or on set days). Track it weekly. Once that habit becomes normal, you can build on it. Slowly, “getting fit” stops being a desire and becomes a lifestyle.

The same method applies to faith goals. Instead of promising to “read more Qur’an,” start with ten minutes daily after Fajr. Instead of “learning Hadith,” commit to one Hadith a week with reflection and one action point. Instead of “being a better parent,” choose one daily practice: listening without interruption or shared mealtime without screens. Small steps, repeated, become character.

So let the new year be more than a slogan. Do not rail against time. Honour it.

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The writer is a Doctoral Candidate in Kinesiology at the University of Georgia, Athens, and a lecturer of Sports and Exercise Science at Gulu University. Readers can share feedback via asiimweismail@gmail.com