Forgotten Sunnahs Muslims Overlook

The Whispers We Miss: Rediscovering Forgotten Sunnahs

Picture this: the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, walking through the marketplace, his presence a beacon of tranquility amidst the day's commerce. He sees a man selling dates, some good, some less so, mingled together. The Prophet ﷺ doesn't just walk by; he reaches in and pulls out the good dates, showing us a gentle yet firm lesson in integrity and presentation. This simple act, a 'forgotten sunnah' for many of us today, speaks volumes about the detail and care he ﷺ brought to every aspect of life.

It’s easy to get caught up in the grand gestures of Islam – the pillars, the major acts of worship. And rightly so! They form the bedrock of our faith. But the beauty of the Sunnah lies not just in the monumental, but also in the seemingly small, the everyday practices that infused the Prophet's ﷺ life with purpose and spirituality. These are the whispers of his ﷺ example that can transform our own lives if we only learn to listen.

We often feel a disconnect, a sense that something is missing in our practice, even when we're doing our best. Sometimes, the answer lies in these very overlooked practices. They are not just quaint traditions; they are practical applications of the Quran, lived embodiments of faith that nurture our souls and bring us closer to Allah.

The Small Acts That Speak Volumes

Let's explore some of these 'forgotten sunnahs' that can add so much depth and barakah to our daily lives. These are practices that were second nature to the early Muslims, but which modern life and perhaps a lack of consistent emphasis have pushed to the background.

The Art of Greeting

We know about saying 'Assalamu Alaikum', but do we truly embody its spirit? The Prophet ﷺ taught us that greeting is a right of a Muslim, and it's a way to foster love among believers. He ﷺ also said:

Arabic: ‏يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ وَصِلُوا الأَرْحَامَ وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلاَمٍ ‏ Translation: "O people, spread the greetings of peace, feed the hungry, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace." Transliteration: Ya ayyuha an-nas, afshu as-salam, wa at'imu at-ta'am, wa silu al-arham, wa salli bil-layli wan-nasu niyamin tadkhulu al-jannata bisalam. — Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2485 (Hasan Sahih)

Think about how often we walk past people, even those we know, without offering a full greeting. The Sunnah is to give the greeting to those you know and those you don't. It's an intentional act of acknowledging another Muslim, sending peace upon them, and strengthening the community bond. It’s about making eye contact, smiling, and truly connecting, not just a perfunctory utterance.

The Etiquette of the Marketplace

Remember that story of the dates? It highlights a broader principle. The Prophet ﷺ was very concerned with fair dealing and ethical commerce. He ﷺ taught us:

Arabic: ‏لاَ تَلَقَّوُا الرُّكْبَانَ لِبَيْعٍ ‏ Translation: "Do not intercept the caravans (to buy their goods before they reach the market)." Transliteration: La talaqqaw ar-rukbana li-bay' — Sahih al-Bukhari 2178

This hadith means to avoid exploiting people who are unaware of the market prices. It’s about ensuring fairness and preventing exploitation. This extends to how we present our goods, how we bargain, and our overall conduct in business. It’s about ensuring our earnings are pure and that we are not causing harm or disadvantage to others for our own gain. In our world of online sales and quick deals, this principle of fair dealing is more crucial than ever.

The Sunnah of Entering and Exiting

Our homes and our mosques are sanctuaries. The Prophet ﷺ had specific ways of entering and exiting these places, which carry profound meaning.

When entering the masjid, he ﷺ would start with his right foot and say:

Arabic: ‏اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ‏ Translation: "O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy." Transliteration: Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik. — Sahih Muslim 713

And upon exiting, he ﷺ would start with his left foot and say:

Arabic: ‏اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ‏ Translation: "O Allah, I ask of You from Your bounty." Transliteration: Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik. — Sahih Muslim 713

These supplications are not mere rituals. They are a constant reminder that our journey to Allah's house and our return are acts of seeking His mercy and His bounty. They infuse our movements with purpose and acknowledge His presence and blessings at all times. Similarly, when entering our homes, we are taught to greet even if no one is there, as it is a blessing and protection:

Arabic: ‏إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ بَيْتَهُ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ ‏ Translation: "When any one of you enters his house, he should greet." Transliteration: Idha dakhala ahadukum baytahu falyusallim 'alayh. — Sahih Muslim 2062

These small acts create an atmosphere of peace and remembrance within our own homes.

The Practice of Sitting

Have you ever noticed how the Prophet ﷺ would sit? He ﷺ often sat in a way that showed respect and humility. One of these was sitting in a specific posture that allowed for ease and readiness.

Arabic: ‏كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا جَلَسَ لِلْحَدِيثِ جَلَسَ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ‏ Translation: "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke (to people), he would sit on his knees." Transliteration: Kana Rasulullah ﷺ idha jalasa lil-hadith jalasa 'ala rukbatayh. — Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2766 (Hasan)

This posture, sitting on one's knees or with knees drawn up, was common. It's a way of showing that you are attentive, present, and ready to engage without being overly casual or slumped. It’s a subtle way to show respect to the person you are with and to the conversation. It contrasts with the often slouched or overly relaxed ways we might sit today.

The Importance of Thikr in Daily Actions

Beyond the formal remembrance of Allah after prayers, the Sunnah is rich with supplications for almost every activity. From waking up to going to sleep, from eating to travelling, the Prophet ﷺ would often make dua. These are the 'forgotten sunnahs' that keep our hearts connected to Allah throughout the day.

Consider the simple act of drinking water:

Arabic: ‏الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الْمَاءَ طَهُورًا وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ مِلْحًا أُجَاجًا بِرَحْمَتِهِ ‏ Translation: "Praise be to Allah Who made water pure and did not make it salty and bitter by His mercy." Transliteration: Alhamdulillah alladhi ja'ala al-ma'a tahuran wa lam yaj'alhu milhan ujajan bi rahmatik. — Sunan Ibn Majah 3453 (Sahih)

Or the dua upon finishing a meal:

Arabic: ‏الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلاَ مُوَدَّعٍ وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ رَبُّنَا ‏ Translation: "Praise be to Allah, [praiseworthy and] blessed, [always] plentiful and abundant. [We can] neither do without it nor dispense with it, O our Lord." Transliteration: Alhamdulillah hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fihi ghayra makfiyyin wa la mawadda'in wa la mustaghnan 'anhu Rabbana. — Sahih al-Bukhari 6114

These small supplications, often overlooked, transform mundane actions into acts of worship. They remind us that everything we have, every sip of water, every morsel of food, is a blessing from Allah. As Allah says in the Quran:

Arabic: ‏وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ‏ Translation: "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." Transliteration: Wa in ta'uddu ni'matallahi la tuhsuha. Innallaha la Ghafurun Rahim. — An-Nahl 16:18

By integrating these duas into our daily routine, we are constantly acknowledging Allah's presence and His favors upon us.

Reviving the Sunnah in Our Lives

These 'forgotten sunnahs' are not just historical footnotes. They are living practices that can profoundly impact our character, our relationships, and our connection with Allah. They are the threads that weave spirituality into the fabric of our everyday existence.

Why do we overlook them? Sometimes it's a lack of knowledge, sometimes it's the perception that they are too trivial, and sometimes it’s simply the inertia of habit. We might think, "What difference does it make if I sit a certain way, or say a specific dua before drinking water?"

The difference lies in intentionality. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the most meticulous in his actions, and every Sunnah, no matter how small, was a manifestation of his deep connection with Allah and his care for humanity. When we revive these practices, we are not just imitating him ﷺ; we are tapping into the blessings he ﷺ brought, refining our own character, and earning the pleasure of Allah.

Reviving the Sunnah is a journey, not a destination. Start small. Pick one or two practices that resonate with you. Make a conscious effort to implement them for a week. You might be surprised at the subtle shifts you experience.

Perhaps it’s making a habit of saying the dua before entering your home. Or consciously offering a more complete greeting to everyone you meet. Maybe it’s remembering to say the supplication after finishing your meal. These small, consistent efforts build momentum.

Let's commit to listening to those whispers of his ﷺ example, not just in the grand sermons, but in the quiet moments of our day. By bringing these forgotten sunnahs back into our lives, we can find a deeper sense of purpose, a stronger connection to our faith, and a more meaningful way of living our Islam.

May Allah make it easy for us to follow the example of His Messenger ﷺ in all that we do, the apparent and the subtle. Let's make a simple dua to start: O Allah, help us to remember and implement the Sunnah of Your Prophet ﷺ, even in the small things.