Every Day is a New Page

In the Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim verse 5, Allah SWT affirms that all days belong to Him. “Wa dzakkirhum bi ayyaamillahi,” meaning, “And remind them of the days of Allah.” Even though the meaning refers to His blessings or the events that occur within them, the use of the word ayyam (days) at least makes us understand that all days are under Allah’s power. Furthermore, the word form is mudhaf-mudhafilaihi. This signifies a direct attribution to Allah, ayyamullahi, illustrating just how sacred it is. Woe, then, to the person who defiles this sanctity. “Biyadihil mulk,” in His Hand is all dominion. In His Hand are all days. Among these days, there is one that Allah has made their chief. The term is “sayyidul ayyam.” The day in question is Friday. For this reason, Allah revealed Surah al-Jumu’ah (the Friday chapter) as proof of its magnificence. On Friday, there is guidance for Muslims to increase their acts of worship. This includes reading Surah al-Kahfi and reciting shalawat upon the Prophet Muhammad SAW. In essence, all days can be likened to a blank page with no content yet written on it. It is we, mankind, who fill it. Imam Hasan al-Bashri recounts that at every turn of the day, there is a call, but we often do not hear it. “Ayyuhan naas ana yawmun jadid, wa ana ’alaa amalaka syahid. wa lan a’uda ilaa yawmil qiyaamah.” O mankind, I am a new day, I record all your deeds, and I will not return until the Day of Judgement. This shows that a single day is like a page from our lifespan. Each person fills it with their own actions. If the deed is good, what is recorded is goodness. “Famayya’mal mitsqaala dzarratin khairayyarah.” Conversely, if it is bad, what is recorded is evil. “Wamayya’mal mitsqaala dzarratin syarrayyarah.” Thus is the decree of Allah in Surah al-Zalzalah verses 7-8. And on the Day of Judgement, these pages will be gathered into a book of deeds. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala commands us to always perform deeds. In Surah at-Taubah verse 105, He says, “Wa quli’maluu fasayarallahu ’amalakum wa rasuuluh.” Meaning, “Say, Muhammad, perform deeds, for Allah and His Messenger will observe what you do.”