Can I make New Year's resolutions as a Muslim?
Yes. Setting goals is a good way to improve yourself, and Islam encourages regular self-checking at any time of the year. January 1st is just a convenient date to start. Make your resolutions with a good intention, keep them realistic, and rely on Allah to help you keep them.
A resolution is not a ritual
A New Year's resolution is a personal plan, not an act of worship that belongs to another religion. You are simply using a fresh page of the calendar to ask: am I praying on time, treating people well, looking after my health? Scholars differ on whether to celebrate New Year's Eve itself, but making goals is allowed. You can also use the Islamic new year for the same reflection. See Can I still celebrate New Year's Eve as a Muslim? and Do Muslims celebrate the Islamic New Year?
Say "insha'Allah"
Muslims plan, but they know that Allah decides what happens. The Quran teaches us never to say "I will definitely do this tomorrow" without adding "if Allah so wills" (Quran 18:23-24). Say "insha'Allah" (God willing) when you make your plan. It is not an excuse to be lazy; it is a reminder that your effort needs Allah's help.
Keep them small and steady
The Prophet ﷺ said that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it is little (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464). That is good advice for resolutions, which usually fail because they are too big. Good starting points:
- Pray one prayer on time every day, then add another.
- Read one page of the Quran, or its translation, each day.
- Learn one new dua a week.
- Give a small amount of charity every Friday.
- Call a parent or relative every week.
- Sleep earlier and cut late-night scrolling.
Trust Allah, and begin again
Once you have made a plan, the next step is trust:
If you slip in February, do not give up. The Prophet ﷺ said to cherish what benefits you, seek help from Allah and not lose heart (Sahih Muslim 2664). You do not need to wait for next January. Any morning, any prayer time, is a new start. If you find a habit hard to break, see How do I break bad habits during Ramadan?
- Goal-setting is allowed and encouraged in Islam.
- Add "insha'Allah" and ask Allah for help.
- Small, regular deeds are better than big plans that fade.
- If you slip, start again straight away.
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