New Beginnings

A publication of the MSSN UNILAG Editorial Board 24/25

Assalam alaykum warahmotullah wabarakatuhu, amazing readers.🥰🤗

Missed us? 😉

It's a new Gregorian calendar year, but not much has changed for us as students. Amid the whirlwind of online classes, assignments piling up, and the daily hustle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose touch with our true priorities.

In Islam, self-reflection isn’t just a nice idea—it’s essential for evaluating our growth 🌱, whether academically, spiritually, or personally. As we settle into the year, let’s embrace this chance to dive deep into our experiences and set our intentions to finish strong 💪—both in our studies and in our relationship with Allah (SWT). 🤲

Monday Motivation

This Monday is the perfect reminder to consider how we have spent our time this year 2024. Allah (SWT) wisely points out in the Qur'an:

"By the time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience." (Qur’an, 103:1-3).

Time is truly one of the greatest gifts Allah has given us. As students, it’s vital to reflect on how we've used this precious resource. Have we balanced our academic duties with our spiritual commitments? Have we made room for worship, self-care, and personal development?

The wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also speaks volumes about the fleeting nature of life's opportunities. He encourages us to "Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death." (Sunan al-Quda’i). This Hadith motivates us to take charge of our pursuits and urges us to evaluate our achievements, learn from our past, and shape our aspirations for a better tomorrow.

As we step into the second Monday of 2025, let’s set clear, achievable goals for our personal and spiritual development. Whether it’s enhancing our prayer routine, dedicating focused time to our studies, achieving a healthier work-life balance, or nurturing a closer connection with Allah (SWT), let’s commit to making these transformative changes. Let’s aspire to conclude this year with grateful hearts and a relentless spirit to keep moving forward.

May Allah (SWT) guide us to use our time wisely, grant us strength and determination in our quest for knowledge and faith, and bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen! 🌟

Forgotten Sunnah

Crowning our gratitude with Sujood Ash-Shukr

Abu Bakrah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, if he received good news or something pleasing, he would fall in prostration from gratitude to Allah. (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2774).

This heartfelt bow of gratitude is a way of surrendering to Allah's greatness and acknowledging His blessings with humility.

Al-Insaan, Verse 3:

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا

Surely We have shown him the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests in his will).

As we strive to deepen our spiritual connection, we must also tend to our physical and mental health. With this in mind, we're excited to share a special feature with you this month on maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being amidst the demands of student life.

Self-care Corner — practical reminders to help you prioritise your well-being.

In the middle of all our heavy academic workload, extracurriculars, and looming exams (then throw into the mix house-boy and house-girl responsibilities that come with being at home), it's easy to fall prey to stress, both mental and physical. Below are some essential stress-management tips for you:

• The centuries-old advice — Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has long been touted to have a negative impact on the student's cognitive functioning, academic performance, and mental health. At least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep should be a non-negotiable. And if you can grab more hours, by all means, do so.

• Another centuries-old — Exercise regularly. It's one of the healthiest methods for stress management. Taking as little as 20 minutes daily to get into some physical activity can go a long way. A pro tip is to do this in the mornings when your motivation levels are still high.

• A relatively newer one — Practice progressive muscle relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation has been scientifically proven to control stress. It is the simple practice of tensing, or tightening, one muscle group at a time followed by a relaxation phase where you release the tension. Here's a 2-minute read on how it's done: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/muscle-relaxation-for-stress-insomnia

• Listen to Recitations of the Qur'an. “And declare that [the Quran] is a guidance and healing for the believers”(Qurʾān 41:44). “Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Qurʾān 13:28). Studies have shown the Qur'an to be a source of stress reduction. So what are you waiting for? Plug in!

• And a few additional tips — Go with the flow, one step at a time. Learn to schedule properly. Take breaks and spend quality time with family and friends.

May Allah ease our affairs, Aameen

Bye bye December, Hello January!

Below are some opportunities for you:

• The Aspire Leaders Program welcomes low-income, first-generation university students and recent graduates from around the world to join a free online interactive leadership development journey that is manageable along with your other commitments. Cohort 2 Application Deadline: February 19, 2025 https://bit.ly/ALP25Application

• Are you a young human rights advocate passionate about making a difference? The OHCHR and Education Above All (EAA) invite applications for the Youth Rights Academy, taking place in Geneva from July 7-11, 2025. Deadline: Jan 12, 2025 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYmC_0DDeJtfA651kS6ILuMZpUXmXSbO7FpPuNFfOo--cCcQ/viewform

And that's all from us for now. We hope you found value in this issue! As we bid you farewell, we're excited to share a sneak peek into what's coming: Get ready for our upcoming Monthly Writing Webinars!

Starting soon, we'll be hosting interactive, expert-led sessions designed to equip you with practical tips and techniques to enhance your everyday writing skills and help you become more confident and effective at writing. Stay tuned for more details, and registration information.

We’re closing out this newsletter with an exciting new feature—our Brands Showcase. Here, we’ll shine a light on innovative brands you’ll love.

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Until we come your way again, Salam!✌️