Bismillah

Assalaamu Alaikum! 

Welcome to the Crescent Chronicles. It's so lovely to have you here! 

If you are reading this, it means that I have found the courage to press send on this very first letter to you, Alhamdulillah. Even as I write this, I haven’t made up my mind whether I would actually send this. I have spent the last couple of days trying to talk myself out of the decision to start this newsletter. A tiny voice inside my head kept probing me with questions. Who am I to write? What would I write about? What if no one likes what I write? 

So many arguments inside my head to let things stay the same. Even for a little while. But the thing is, I already know the outcome of staying the same. It's something that I can no longer consider an option if I want to go from where I am to where I want to be.

A new crescent, a new beginning

Today we are welcoming the first crescent moon of a new Islamic year. Each year, this date reminds us of a journey that was made hundreds of years ago. A long and tough journey, but a necessary one. 

Although the journey of Prophet ﷺ along with Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه from Makkah to Madinah was the most significant, this was not the only, nor the first Hijrah Muslims made. Muslims traveled thousands of miles on an arduous journey,  just so that they would have the freedom to say لا إله إلا الله without the fear of being persecuted. They left their loved ones, the homes they grew up in, the familiar faces they run into as they are out and about the city, for something that was much more beloved to their heart. 

It is said that one reason why Islamic new year begins in Muharram is because the pilgrims go back to their homes after performing Hajj, with a fresh start.  As you have been blessed with witnessing yet another year, take a moment to journey inward. You may not be in need of doing a physical Hijrah, but each one of us has things we need to work on. 

There is no time like now to take some time for introspection and reflect upon the consequences of staying stagnant. Do you need to make a Hijrah from a place, from a habit, from a person, from a lifestyle or anything else? It shouldn’t be something as huge as moving physically to another place. Any small change you bring will lead you to a different destination when you decide to not let things be as they are. 

A quote I want to share with you

“We live in a gap between what we know we should do and what we feel we can do.” - Johann Hari, Stolen focus: why you can’t pay attention and how to think deeply again

Jazakallah khair for reading till here! 

If you found this beneficial or helpful, please do share with your loved ones. 

Until next time,

Samar