1st Muharram 1447H |
For years, I've been on a mission to help Muslim professionals like you realign their lives according to the Hijri Calendar. |
I wrote an article on why the Islamic calendar matters more than you think and we built a mini-website with resources to help people #GoHijri (gohijri.org). |
I'm particularly passionate about aligning our planning with the Hijri calendar both as individuals and organizations. |
Aligning our lives and companies with the Gregorian calendar may feel "professional" by worldly standards, but it leaves us spiritually depleted. |
What do Jan, Feb, March...etc mean spiritually? Compare this to Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan... it has a different ring! |
Everything changed when I started planning my life according to the Islamic calendar chosen by Allah SWT for our Ummah. Several friends, including some who run companies, switched to Hijri planning and advocate for it now. |
Today, I want to share the framework I've been using for years to plan each Hijri year. It's the same system I teach in our Annual Intentions Masterclass every Ramadan, and it transformed my productivity and relationship with time. |
Why the Hijri Calendar Changes Everything |
Most planning systems focus on what you want to achieve. Hijri calendar planning starts with why you want to achieve it. |
Ibn Ata'illah said: "Praiseworthy planning is planning that seeks to enhance one's relationship with God. Blameworthy planning is planning that revolves around the self and its appetites, heedless of one's debt to God." |
Aligning your planning with the Hijri calendar brings profound results: |
You remember your purpose: Every month is an opportunity to draw closer to Allah. For example, you remember fasting on special days like Ashura or the white days. You tap into spiritual seasons: You remember sacred months. Ramadan becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth, Dhul-Hijjah for reflection on sacrifice, Muharram for fresh starts, Rabi Al-Awwal for seerah review. You feel connected to the global Ummah: 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide sharing the same spiritual calendar - a clear marker of civilizational identity. You escape the secular hamster wheel: No more chasing arbitrary January goals, or consumerist holidays, disconnected from your faith.
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When your planning starts with the right calendar and intention, everything that follows becomes an act of worship. |
Speaking of aligning with the Hijri calendar, we've created a beautiful 1447H wall calendar with Islamic dates, and space for your intentions. It's the perfect tool to keep your spiritual year visible and intentional. [Click here to get your copy] |
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The Gardener's Approach to Planning 1447H |
Before we dive into the practical steps, I need you to understand a fundamental mindset shift. |
Most planning systems treat you like a carpenter. You must set precise goals, create detailed blueprints, and execute with precision. If you don't hit your targets, you've "failed." |
A gardener plants seeds with sincere intention, tends to them consistently, creates the right growth conditions, and trusts Allah with the results. A gardener knows that growth happens in seasons, some of which are invisible. |
This is the foundation of what I call "Gardener Mindset planning", planning that seeks Allah's blessing and operates according to His natural laws. |
The 7-Step Framework for Planning Your 1447H |
Step 1: Set ONE High-Himmah Intention |
Before you plan anything else, you need a North Star, one overarching intention to drive your year. I call this "High Himmah Intention". |
A High-Himmah intention is: |
God-centered: focused on pleasing Allah, not impressing people Purpose and impact-driven: serves your family, community, and/or Ummah at large. Nervously exciting: It gives you butterflies because you're unsure you can achieve it, making you depend on Allah's help, not your own abilities.
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Examples from some of our past students: |
"To raise my children as confident Muslims who love their deen" "To write a book that helps young Muslims navigate modern challenges" "I want to build a business that creates halal employment for my community." "To memorize the Quran and teach it to others"
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Step 2: Plan Across Three Core Areas |
Plan your 1447H across these three interconnected areas: |
🕌 Spiritual (Your Relationship with Allah) |
Acts of worship you want to strengthen Character traits you want to develop Islamic knowledge you want to gain Ways to remember Allah more often
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💰 Personal and Financial (Your Relationship with Yourself) |
Health and fitness intentions Hands-on skills to develop (e.g. baking, gardening) Business or career intentions Financial Budget/Investment plan
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👥 Social (Your Relationships with Others) |
Family relationships to strengthen Community service you want to provide Friendships to nurture Ways to serve the community/ummah
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The key is ensuring all three areas support your High-Himmah intention. If your North Star is raising righteous children, then your spiritual growth, physical health, and social connections should contribute to that intention. |
Step 3: Think Process/Habits, Not Achievements |
Most people set ambitious goals like "Memorize 3 Juz of Quran" or "Lose X kg." But gardeners think in terms of processes and routines. |
Break your intentions into specific processes or habits. For example: |
If your intention is to "memorize Quran," break it down to "Aim to memorize 1 page per week." Change "Run a marathon" to "Run 3 times per week: 1 recovery run, 1 long run, 1 speed run." Instead of "spend time with family," write "Establish weekly family circle."
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Step 4: Craft Specific Duas |
For each major intention, formulate a specific dua: |
Start with one of Allah's beautiful names related to your need. Be specific about your request. Ask for sincerity, guidance, and tawfeeq (divine enablement).
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Example: "Ya Rahman, help me memorize Surah Al-Baqarah this year with sincerity and understanding, and make it easy for me to review and retain what I learn." |
Write these duas down. You'll return to them throughout the year, especially during blessed times like the last ten nights of Ramadan. |
Step 5: Plan Your Learning Journey |
Every intention requires knowledge and skills. A gardener studies soil conditions, weather patterns, and growth cycles. |
For each intention, ask: |
What knowledge do I need to succeed? What skills should I develop? Who can mentor or guide me? What resources will help me grow?
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For example, if one of your intentions is to write a book, join our Book Writing Program (shameless plug!) |
Step 6: Create Your Review Rhythm |
Gardens need consistent tending. Set up regular reviews: |
Weekly: Which intentions are going well? Which need more support? Monthly: Am I still aligned with my High-Himmah intention? What needs adjustment? Quarterly: Take some time out at the end of each Islamic quarter and review your intentions. Take some time out, and ask yourself: What's working? What isn't? How is Allah guiding me?
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Step 7: Practice True Tawakkul (Trust in Allah) |
The most important step is to detach from specific outcomes while remaining committed to sincere effort. |
Your job is to plant, water, and tend. Allah will determine what grows, when it grows, and how much it grows. |
Sometimes Allah gives you exactly what you planned. Sometimes He'll give you something better. Sometimes He'll teach you patience through delay. All are gifts. |
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid |
As you plan your 1447H, watch out for these pitfalls: |
Over-committing: It's better to do fewer things with ihsaan than many with mediocrity. Forgetting Your Season of Life: If you just had a baby or have elderly parents that need your help, you can't plan like you did when you were single or when your parents were less dependent on you. Honor where Allah has placed you in life. Chasing Others' Dreams: Your intentions should excite your heart, not impress others.
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Your Weekend Project |
This weekend, spend 2-3 hours on this framework: |
Identify your High-Himmah intention for 1447H. Brainstorm processes/habits for each of the three areas. Choose 3-5 projects to focus on in the first quarter (Muharram to Rabi' al-Awwal). Write initial duas for your main intentions. Set up your review system.
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Pro tip: Download our beautiful GoHijri 1447H wall calendar to keep track of Islamic dates and your monthly intentions throughout the year. [Get it here] |
Final Reflection |
The Prophet's ï·º companions didn't have productivity apps or goal-setting frameworks. But they had something more powerful: clear intention, reliance on Allah, and commitment to continuous effort for His sake. |
As you plan your 1447H, remember you're not just setting goals. You're designing a year of worship. Every project becomes an act of 'ibadah with the right intention. |
Even if you don't achieve your 1447H intentions/goals due to illness, busyness, or even death, you'll be rewarded for your intentions insha'Allah. |
May Allah bless your planning, accept your intentions, and grant you success in this life and the next. Ameen! |
Bismillah for 1447H. |
Sincerely, |
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P.S. Back to my shameless plug; I'm serious → if you're thinking about writing a book for 1447H, sign up for our Book Writing Program. Click here to book a call with one of our team members to better understand what this program is about and how it can help you. |
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