5 GOALS TO BRING YOU CLOSER TO ALLAH IN 2025 + HOW TO ACHIEVE THEM
Everyday is a new opportunity that Allah gives us to do good deeds and get closer to Him. In 2025, as new year resolutions and goals are planned, it’s important to prioritize goals that will bring us closer to Allah and earn us a plethora of reward.
The most important thing to do first, as always, is set your intentions. If you have already set your intentions, then maybe you want to renew them. Remember that actions are judged by intentions, and in Islam, our intentions do matter.
SETTING/RENEWING YOUR INTENTIONS
Self Assessment + Reflection : Take a moment to look at your life as it is now, especially over the past year. Have you been nurturing your relationship with Allah well? Have you been giving your spiritual life the attention it deserves? Reflect on what you need to do more of, what you might need to let go of, and where your focus should be. This will help you get more clarity on how to move on.
Goal Assessment : Re-assess the goals that you have previously set for yourself. Are they still relevant or do you need to update and adjust them? For example, if your goal was to ‘wake up for fajr on time’, and now you have mastered the habit, but realize your Maghrib prayer needs some work, you can update it to ‘pray Maghrib within the first 10 minutes after Adhan’.
Set Clear and Specific Goals : Make sure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T - specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound. Instead of saying ‘I want to read the Qur’an more’, you can say ‘I want to read 10 minutes of Qur’an after fajr for a year’.
Track and Adjust : Make sure you’re constantly tracking, evaluating and adjusting your goals. What are you doing well? What can you do better? What can you adjust? This could be the clarity, frequency or even consistency of your goal - just make sure that you’re still on track and doing all that you can.
Download your Setting Intentions free printable here.
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Now, let’s talk about the FIVE goals to bring you closer to your Rabb this year.
SALAH (Prayer)
The five daily prayers are incredibly meaningful, and they deserve to be at the heart of our daily lives. Salah (prayer) does not only deepen your spiritual connection, it also encourages a mindset of gratitude and humility. Dive deeper into how you can make salah a beautiful priority in your life here!
An example of a good goal for salah would be ‘Pray my 5 daily prayers on time and with concentration’.
Tips to praying salah on time
Make du’a to Allah to ease the journey for you.
Set reminders about 10 minutes before each prayer to start getting mentally and physically ready.
Plan your day around salah time (don’t schedule things in prayer time!).
If you’re a student or an employee, find or request a ‘prayer spot’ at school or at work.
Prioritize your obligatory prayers - fajr, dhuhr, asr, maghreb and isha.
It may be difficult in the beginning, but with patience, consistency and du’a, it is possible to achieve your salah goal if you set your mind to it.
QURAN
The Qur’an is a beautiful gift from Allah, sent as a guide for all of humanity. How can we navigate this dunya without relying on the guidance lovingly provided by our Creator?
Perhaps your Qur’an is sitting on the bookshelf collecting dust, or you do pick it up and read it once in a while. It’s okay wherever you are, as long as you make the intention to become better.
An example of a Qur’an goal would be ‘Read the Qur’an daily for 15 minutes before bedtime’, or ‘Memorize 1 verse of the Qur’an daily after isha every evening’.
Tips to stay consistent with the Qur’an
Set a clear plan
Make the Qur’an accessible (in a clear spot where you are likely to see it and pick it up!)
Create a source of accountability (e.g a friend or a habit tracker)
Take a Qur’an course
Evaluate your progress
DHIKR
The Qur’an says ‘Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest’ (Q 13:28).
Although dhikr is a form of worship, we may forget to perform this easy task because we fail to set goals and make plans to stay on track. This year, set a goal around dhikr to moisten your tongue with the remembrance of Allah, connect with your Creator and earn multiple rewards.
An example of a goal for dhikr is ‘Do istighfar 100 times before bedtime’.
Tips to doing dhikr consistently
Set reminders on your phone
Get an accountability partner
Use a digital counter to keep track
Remind yourself about the multiple benefits and rewards of dhikr
Don’t give up - even if you don’t hit your goals, keep trying!
HAJJ/UMRAH
Although many people have gone for hajj without prior planning by the grace of Allah, planning and making goals for hajj is definitely helpful in preparing you physically, financially and mentally.
You don’t have to start planning for hajj when you are completely ready, it can be a whole journey on its own.
Example of a hajj goal is ‘Save xxx amount of money for hajj in 12 months’ or even ‘Create my hajj plan (vision board, financial plan, physical plan and so on) during Ramadan’.
Tips to achieving your hajj goals
Learn from the experienced (those who have gone for hajj before)
Research on the internet (cost, packages, the rituals of Hajj, etc.)
Consult hajj planning organizations
Keep track of your plans
Make du’a
FRIDAY SUNNAH
In Islam, Friday, the day of jumu’ah is a very blessed day and there are some rituals we are encouraged to perform as Muslims such as attending the congregational prayer and reading surah Al-Kahf.
This year, you can pick one of these habits and make it your goal to perform it consistently.
An example of this is ‘Read al Kahf before Dhuhr prayer every Friday’.
Tips to achieving your Friday sunnah goals
Pick one specific sunnah at a time
Pick a time and spot for your act of worship
Set reminders and/or get an accountability partner
Be very specific with your goal
Make du’a for Allah to guide you.
Remember that the rewards of these goals aren’t just here in the dunya, but by the grace of Allah, also in the Aakhirah.
May Allah make it easy for you, ameen.
with love and duaas,
Ghena
