Incorporating Sunnah Into Everyday Life
When we think of worship in Islam, we often picture praying salah, fasting and giving zakat. However, we can be forgiven to forget that even the smallest actions of following the sunnah are a form of worship. Of course those other, conventional acts of ibadah are important - but to easily maximise reward for your scales in the aakhirah, you need to align your intentions with Islam in everyday life.
I am not writing this article to overwhelm you with a list of things you should be doing; I am writing it with the hopes of inspiring you.
Start small. You do not have to do everything at once - in fact, you probably should not. Choose one habit that you would like to integrate into your life and pursue that, focusing on consistency. It is okay if you occasionally forget to carry out that action as it is better to do something imperfectly than to abandon it altogether.
In this article I have compiled a list of simple sunnahs that you can add to your day which are light on effort and big on reward. No matter where you are regarding your everyday ibadah, there is something for you and I hope you take it.
1. Dua after waking up
After waking up in the morning, many of us immediately reach for our phones; a seemingly innocent habit to dismiss our alarms. But then, we click onto Instagram or TikTok and soon enough, twenty minutes have flown by (something I, too, am guilty of).
Why not start your day by reciting the following dua instead? Doing so brings purpose into your morning as you actively remember Allah (SWT), helping you carry that meaningfulness into the rest of your day.
Alhamdu lilahil-ladhi ahyanaa ba da maa amantanaa wa ilayhin-nushur
Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him we will return
2. Entering & Leaving The Bathroom
Imam Nawari (RA) mentions that all scholars unanimously agree that it is recommended to enter the toilet with your left foot and leave with your right foot first.
If you are looking to go further, consider reciting the following duas:
Duaa before entering:
(Bismillahi,) Allahmuma inni Audhu bika minal khubti wal khaba ith
Oh Allah, I seek protection in You from male and female devils
Duaa when leaving:
Ghufraanaka
I seek Your forgiveness
3. Use Miswak
Miswak is a natural toothbrush known to have been frequently used by Muhammad (SAW). It was used upon waking up, before salah, when fasting, after meals - you name it. Evidently, this was a staple for the Prophet (SAW).
According to a hadith in Musnad Ahmad, the Prophet (SAW) narrated that salah performed after using miswak is seventy times more virtuous than prayer without it. This habit seems like a no-brainer to me; a minor adjustment that carries immense reward.
4. Dua for Entering the Marketplace
We all go shopping; whether we are on the hunt for some new clothes or just picking up some groceries - but nobody really views this as an act of ibadah. By reciting the following dua, you will be able to turn an errand into an act of worship as you actively remember Allah. Dhikr is a powerful form of Ibadah and as you praise Allah (SWT), you cleanse your heart and deepen your connection with Him.
Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, yuhyee wa yumeetu, wa Huwa hayyun laa yamootu, biyadihil-khayru, wa Huwa alaa kulli shayin Qadeer.
There is no Lord except Allah. He is One and has no partners. His is the Kingdom and for Him are all praises. He gives life and gives death. He is eternal and everlasting In His control is goodness, and He has power over everything.
Finally, I would like to celebrate you: the very person who is reading this.
You could have spent that same time scrolling on your phone, but instead you chose to read this blog, and you are a better person for it.
In case if the advice given above was not enough for you, I have compiled an extra list of simple sunnahs: smiling at a stranger; trimming nails and removing unwanted hair on Fridays; sleeping on your right hand side; eating dates, barley or drinking milk or honey; and reading the Quran regularly.
As you start incorporating these habits into your life, you will feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment. You will also notice that you get less hung up on worldly affairs because you are tuned into your ultimate purpose of worshipping Allah (SWT).
Do not underestimate a good deed - you never know which will be the one that grants you access to Jannah.
