Forgotten Sunnahs: Reviving Beloved Practices

Remember the feeling of a cool breeze on a warm evening? Or the quiet joy of a shared meal with loved ones? These simple moments, often taken for granted, hold a deeper significance in our faith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, in his infinite wisdom and compassion, embedded profound lessons and beautiful practices into the fabric of our daily lives. These aren't just rituals; they are pathways to closeness with Allah and a reflection of His perfect guidance.

Yet, in our busy lives, some of these beautiful practices, these beloved sunnahs, can become… well, forgotten. We might know the big ones – the prayers, the fasting, the Hajj – but what about the smaller, everyday actions that painted the portrait of the Prophet's ﷺ life and character?

This isn't about adding burdens. It's about rediscovering treasures. It's about understanding that reviving these forgotten sunnahs isn't just about imitation; it's about embracing a way of life that brings peace, blessings, and spiritual nourishment. It's about connecting with the very essence of our faith in a tangible, beautiful way.

The Power of Small Acts

It's easy to think that only grand gestures matter. But the Quran and Sunnah consistently show us the immense value Allah places on even the smallest acts of goodness. The Prophet ﷺ himself was the living embodiment of this principle.

Consider the simple act of greeting. It's more than just a "salam." It's an affirmation of community, a dispeller of ill-will, and a direct sunnah that brings immense reward.

Arabic: عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ ، لاَ تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا ، وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا ، أَوَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَىْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ ، أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ " Translation: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam amongst yourselves." Transliteration: *'An Abi Hurairata, anna an-Nabiyya sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, qala: "Walladhi nafsi biyadihi, la tadkhuluna al-jannata hatta tu'minu, wa la tu'minu hatta tuhabbu, awala adullukum 'ala shay'in idha fa'altumuhu tahabbabtum? Afshu as-salama baynakum."

— Sahih Muslim 54

This hadith isn't just about saying "Assalamu alaikum." It's about a deep spiritual connection that begins with recognizing the humanity and brotherhood in every Muslim we meet. How often do we walk past people, even those we know, without offering a full, heartfelt salam? Reviving this practice can literally open doors to Paradise and foster the love that is the foundation of our faith.

Another overlooked gem is the adab of eating and drinking. We often focus on what we eat, but the Prophet ﷺ taught us the importance of how we eat.

Arabic: عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ ، قَالَ : كُنْتُ غُلاَمًا فِي حَجْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، وَكَانَتْ يَدِي تَطِيشُ فِي الصَّحْفَةِ ، فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " يَا غُلاَمُ ، سَمِّ اللَّهَ ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ ، وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ " Translation: Narrated 'Umar bin Abi Salamah: I was a boy under the care of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), and my hand used to wander around the dish. So Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said to me: "O boy, mention Allah's name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near to you." Transliteration: *'Umar ibn Abi Salamah, qala: Kuntu ghalaman fi hajri Rasoolillahi sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, wa kanat yadi tateeshu fis-sahfah, faqala li Rasoolullahi sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam: "Ya ghulam, sammi Allah, wa kul bi yaminika, wa kul mimma yaleek."

— Sahih al-Bukhari 5376, Sahih Muslim 2022

Think about it. Saying Bismillah isn't just a verbal act; it's an acknowledgment that this sustenance is from Allah, and we seek His protection from any harm in it. Eating with the right hand is a sign of respect and cleanliness, a practice many cultures have adopted, sometimes without even knowing its Islamic origin. And eating from what's in front of you? It prevents greed and teaches contentment. These small etiquette points transform a mundane act into an act of worship.

The Sunnah of Our Homes

Our homes are meant to be sanctuaries of peace and faith. The Prophet's ﷺ home life was a testament to this. Many of his sunnahs were enacted within his family, teaching us how to build strong, blessed households.

One beautiful, often overlooked sunnah is the tidying of our living spaces. It might seem trivial, but the Prophet ﷺ emphasized cleanliness and order.

Arabic: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ حَيَّانَ ، عَنْ أَبِي سَالِمٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " إِذَا أَوَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ ، فَلْيَأْخُذْ بِنَاحِيَةِ إِزَارِهِ ، فَلْيَنْفُضْهُ ، وَلْيُسَمِّ اللَّهَ ، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَدْرِي مَا خَلَفَهُ عَلَيْهِ ، فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ لِيَضْطَجِعَ ، فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْسَرِ " Translation: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "When any one of you goes to bed, he should take hold of the lower part of his lower garment and dust off his bed with the inner side of the lower garment, and then say: 'Bismillah, I lay myself down by the help of Allah, and protect myself with His help. O Allah, forgive me my sins and drive away the whisperings of Satan and suffice me in my need.' Then if he dies, he dies as a Muslim, and if he wakes up, he wakes up with the reward of a mujahid." Transliteration: *Idha awaa ahadukum ila firashihi, falyakhudh binahiyati izarihi, falyandufhu, wa yusammillaha, fa innahu la yadri ma khala-fahu 'alayhi. Idha dhahaba liyad-taji'a, falyad-taji'a 'ala shiqqihi al-aysar.

— Sunan Abi Dawud 5050 (Hasan)

This hadith is incredibly comprehensive. It teaches us to shake out our beds – a practical step to remove any unseen creatures. It reminds us to remember Allah's name before resting, seeking His protection throughout the night. And it gives specific guidance on how to lie down. These aren't just sleep instructions; they are principles for living a life mindful of Allah, even in our rest.

Furthermore, the simplicity in furnishings and lifestyle is a sunnah many find challenging today. The Prophet's ﷺ possessions were few, his life was characterized by contentment, not accumulation.

Allah says in the Quran:

Arabic: وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا Translation: "And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck, nor extend it completely spread out, lest you sit down blamed and insolvent." (Al-Isra 17:29)

This ayah guides us towards moderation. We are not to be miserly, hoarding our wealth, nor are we to be excessively extravagant, depleting our resources. The Prophet's ﷺ example was the perfect balance. He ﷺ was generous when asked, but his own life was marked by simplicity. Reviving this means re-evaluating our relationship with material possessions and finding contentment in what Allah has provided.

The Sunnah of Interaction and Compassion

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the most compassionate, the most merciful. His interactions with people, animals, and even the environment were guided by divine ethics.

Consider the kindness towards animals. This is a sunnah that profoundly reflects our humanity. We are often so focused on human needs that we forget our responsibility towards other creations of Allah.

Arabic: حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى ، قَالَ : قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ ، عَنْ الأَعْرَجِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي ، اشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَطَشُ ، فَنَزَلَ بِئْرًا ، فَشَرِبَ مِنْهَا ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ ، فَإِذَا كَلْبٌ يَلْهَثُ يَأْكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنَ الْعَطَشِ ، فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ : لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا الْكَلْبُ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ مِثْلُ الَّذِي كَانَ بَلَغَ مِنِّي ، فَنَزَلَ الْبِئْرَ ، فَجَعَلَ فِي خُفِّهِ مَاءً ، فَسَقَى الْكَلْبَ ، فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ " ، قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا ؟ فَقَالَ : " فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ " Translation: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "While a man was walking, he felt intense thirst. He found a well in the path and went down into it and drank from it. When he came out, he saw a dog panting and eating the wet earth because of intense thirst. The man said: 'This dog is suffering from thirst as I was suffering.' So he went down into the well again and filled his water-skin with water and held it in his mouth and went down to give it to the dog to drink. Allah appreciated this act and forgave him." The people said: "O Allah's Messenger! Is there for us in the Service of animals a reward?" He replied: "Yes, there is a reward for serving every living creature." Transliteration: *Baynama rajulun yamshi, ishtadda 'alayhi al-'atashu, fa nazala bi'ran, fa shariba minha, thumma kharaja, fa idha kalbun yalha-thu ya'kulu ath-thara min al-'atash. Faqala ar-rajul: Laqad balagha hadha al-kalbu min al-'atashi mithlu alladhi kana balagha minni. Fa nazala al-bi'ra, fa ja'ala fi khuffihi ma'an, fa saqa al-kalba, fa shakara Allahu lahu fa ghafara lahu. Qalu: Ya Rasool Allah, wa inna lana fil-baha'imi ajran? Fa qala: "Fi kulli kabidin ratibatin ajrun."

— Sahih al-Bukhari 2363, Sahih Muslim 2244

This story of the forgiven prostitute and the dog is a powerful reminder that compassion knows no bounds. It teaches us that every living creature deserves our kindness, and that Allah rewards even the smallest acts of mercy. Reviving this sunnah means extending our care beyond our immediate circle to all of Allah's creation.

Another crucial aspect is showing respect to elders and the young. The Prophet ﷺ meticulously taught us how to interact with different age groups, fostering harmony and respect.

Arabic: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ ، عَنْ الأَعْرَجِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يَرْحَمْ صَغِيرَنَا ، وَيُوَقِّرْ كَبِيرَنَا ، وَيَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ، وَيَنْهَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ " Translation: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "He is not among us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders, and enjoin good and forbid evil." Transliteration: *Laysa minna man lam yarham sagheerana, wa yuwaqqir kabeerana, wa ya'muru bil-ma'roof, wa yanha 'anil-munkar.

— Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1919 (Sahih)

This hadith is a cornerstone of a functioning, moral society. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of mercy for the young and respect for the old. It's about creating a community where every member feels valued and supported. How often do we truly pause to consider the rights of the young and the elderly in our daily interactions? Reviving this means actively seeking opportunities to show kindness and reverence.

Practical Steps to Revive Forgotten Sunnahs

Knowing these practices is one thing; implementing them is another. Here are some practical ways we can bring these beloved sunnahs back into our lives:

1. Start Small: Don't try to revive everything at once. Pick one or two sunnahs that resonate with you and focus on them consistently.
2. Set Reminders: Use phone apps, sticky notes, or even just mental cues to remind yourself throughout the day.
3. Educate Yourself: Read more about the context and wisdom behind each sunnah. The more you understand, the more you'll appreciate it.
4. Practice with Family and Friends: Encourage those around you to join you in reviving these practices. A shared effort makes it easier and more enjoyable.
5. Be Patient and Persistent: You'll forget sometimes. You'll slip up. That's normal. The key is to keep trying, seeking Allah's help and forgiveness.

Reviving forgotten sunnahs is not about performing them robotically. It's about infusing our lives with the beautiful spirit of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It's about finding joy in the simple, profound ways he taught us to live. It’s about drawing closer to Allah through the very practices He revealed through His beloved Messenger.

Let us commit, starting today, to consciously bringing these beloved practices back into our lives, not as a chore, but as a pathway to greater peace, spiritual growth, and connection with our Creator. May Allah make it easy for us all.