Forgotten Sunnahs: Reviving Beloved Practices

Imagine the gentle rustle of leaves as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ walked through Medina, his footsteps echoing with the Sunnah – the way of life he embodied. It wasn't just grand pronouncements; it was in the quiet moments, the everyday actions, the subtle gestures that defined his blessed existence. We often focus on the pillars of our faith, the obligatory acts that form the bedrock of our Deen. And rightly so! But what about those beautiful, often overlooked practices that wove a richer tapestry into the lives of our Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)? These are the forgotten Sunnahs, the beloved practices that, when revived, don't just add to our Deen; they deepen it, bringing us closer to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

The Heartbeat of Everyday Islam

When we talk about the Sunnah, it's easy to think of specific du'as or acts of worship. But the Sunnah is more encompassing. It's the character, the etiquette, the way of being. It’s the reflection of a heart constantly turned towards Allah. The Quran itself guides us to this essence:

Arabic: لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا Translation: "There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah often." Transliteration: Laqad kana lakum fi Rasoolillah uswatun hasanatun liman kana yarju Allaha wal-yawmal-akhira wa dhakara Allaha katheeran

— Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21

This ayah is a powerful reminder. The Prophet ﷺ isn't just a messenger; he's our uswah hasanah – the excellent example. And this example isn't confined to the mosque or specific rituals. It permeates every aspect of life.

More Than Just 'Do This, Don't Do That'

Reviving Sunnahs isn't about accumulating a checklist of actions. It's about cultivating a spirit, a conscious effort to emulate the perfection of the Prophet ﷺ. It’s about finding joy and peace in the small things that brought him comfort and drew him closer to Allah.

Consider something as simple as drinking water. We do it every day, often without a second thought. But the Prophet ﷺ had a beautiful practice regarding it:

Arabic: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا شَرِبَ تَنَفَّسَ ثَلَاثًا Translation: "When the Prophet ﷺ drank, he would take a breath three times (i.e., he would pause between sips). Transliteration: Kana an-Nabiyyu ﷺ idha shariba tanaffasa thalathan

— Sahih al-Bukhari 5631

He would pause between drinks, sometimes even saying it was more hygienic and helped quench thirst better. This wasn't a fard (obligatory) act, but a practice that showed mindfulness, care for his well-being, and a connection to a higher purpose even in the mundane. When we adopt this, we're not just drinking water; we're connecting to a moment of the Prophet's ﷺ life, imbuing a simple act with spiritual significance.

The Power of the Right Hand

Another area where we can easily revive forgotten Sunnahs is in our daily interactions and the use of our limbs. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of using the right hand for good deeds and pleasant matters:

Arabic: إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِيَمِينِهِ، وَإِذَا شَرِبَ فَلْيَشْرَبْ بِيَمِينِهِ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَأْكُلُ بِشِمَالِهِ وَيَشْرَبُ بِشِمَالِهِ. Translation: "When any one of you eats, he should eat with his right hand. When he drinks, he should drink with his right hand. Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand." Transliteration: Idha akala ahadukum falyakul bi yameenih, wa idha shariba falyashrab bi yameenih, fa'inna ash-shaytana ya'kulu bi shimalih wa yashrabu bi shimalih.

— Sahih Muslim 2020

This hadith, again, isn't just about etiquette. It's about consciously distinguishing ourselves from the ways of Shaytan. When we eat, dress, give, or receive with our right hand, we are actively aligning ourselves with the Sunnah, making even these ordinary actions acts of obedience and remembrance. Think about the consistency of this practice – from eating a date to handling important documents. It trains our nafs (self) to be mindful of the Prophet’s ﷺ way.

The Beauty of Greeting and Leaving

Our interactions with people are a huge part of our lives, and here too, the Sunnah offers profound guidance that often gets overlooked. The way we greet and depart from each other carries immense blessings.

Arabic: وَإِذَا حُيّيتُمْ بَتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا Translation: "And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [O people] with what is better than it or [at least] return it. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, Accountant." Transliteration: Wa idha huyyitum bitahiyyatin fahayyu bi ahsana minha aw rudduha, innAllaha kana 'ala kulli shay'in haseeba

— Surah An-Nisa, 4:86

While the primary context of this ayah is broader, the Islamic greeting, Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, is the most excellent greeting. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to give the greeting and to return it with something better or equal. Beyond just saying it, the Sunnah involves:

Making eye contact: Showing sincerity and respect.
Smiling: A simple act of kindness that is Sunnah.
Shaking hands: (when appropriate and between compatible genders) A practice that strengthens bonds and earns forgiveness for sins, as mentioned in other hadith (e.g., Sahih al-Bukhari 6263).
Saying goodbye properly: The Prophet ﷺ would not disengage his hand from a companion until the companion disengaged his hand, and he would not turn his face away from a companion until the companion turned his face away (see Tirmidhi 1927, Hasan).

These small acts of warmth and respect, when done consistently, can transform our relationships and make our communities more loving and connected, mirroring the society the Prophet ﷺ cultivated.

The Significance of Du'a in Small Things

We know du'a is the weapon of the believer. But are we making du'a for everything? The Sunnah is replete with specific du'as for mundane activities that connect us to Allah. For instance, before entering the toilet:

Arabic: اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female devils." Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khaba'ith

— Sahih al-Bukhari 6322, Sahih Muslim 375

And upon exiting:

Arabic: غُفْرَانَكَ Translation: "I seek Your forgiveness." Transliteration: Ghufranaka

— Sunan Abi Dawud 30

These are not just rituals; they are conscious acts of seeking Allah's protection and acknowledging His dominion over every aspect of our lives, even the most private. By reciting these, we are turning a potentially heedless moment into an act of worship, warding off evil and seeking forgiveness. This transforms our entire existence into a continuous conversation with our Creator.

Reviving Through Understanding and Action

So, how do we bring these forgotten Sunnahs back into our lives? It starts with awareness. Reading books, listening to lectures, and visiting sites like ours can help us discover these practices. But awareness is just the first step. The real revival comes with intention and action.

Pick One Sunnah: Don't try to do everything at once. Choose one small, forgotten Sunnah that resonates with you. Perhaps it's saying du'a before sleeping and upon waking, or using your right hand for eating, or smiling more when greeting others. Commit to practicing it for a week.
Make it a Habit: Consistency is key. Gently remind yourself throughout the day. If you slip, don't despair. Seek Allah's help and try again. Allah loves the deeds that are consistent, even if small (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).
Teach it to Others: Share what you learn with your family and friends. When we teach, we reinforce our own learning and inspire others. Imagine a household where the Sunnah is a living, breathing part of daily life.
Reflect on the 'Why': Connect the practice to its spiritual significance. Understand why the Prophet ﷺ did it. Was it for health, for character, for seeking Allah's pleasure, or to distance himself from Shaytan? This understanding deepens the motivation.

The Reward of Emulation

Emulating the Prophet ﷺ is more than just following rules; it's a path to immense reward and a deeper connection with Allah. The Prophet ﷺ himself said:

Arabic: مَنْ أَحْيَا سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ أَحَبَّنِي، وَمَنْ أَحَبَّنِي كَانَ مَعِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ. Translation: "Whoever revives my Sunnah will have love from my heart and will enter Paradise." Transliteration: Man ahya sunnati faqad ahabanni, wa man ahabanni kana ma'i fil-Jannah.

— Attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, often cited with a reference like Tirmidhi 2678 (though the wording can vary and requires careful scholarly verification of authenticity).

While the exact wording and grading of this specific narration might be debated by scholars, the principle is sound and supported by many other authentic narrations that highlight the immense reward for following the Prophet ﷺ. The Quran also assures us:

Arabic: قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ Translation: "Say, 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.' " Transliteration: Qul in kuntum tuhibboona Allaha fattabi'ooni, yuhbibkumullahu wa yaghfir lakum dhunubakum, wallahu Ghafoorun Raheem.

— Surah Al-Imran, 3:31

Reviving forgotten Sunnahs is a beautiful, tangible way to express our love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. It’s about infusing our lives with barakah (blessings), seeking Allah’s pleasure, and walking in the footsteps of the best of creation.

Let's make a sincere intention today to consciously bring at least one beloved, forgotten Sunnah back into our lives. Perhaps today, when you drink, you’ll pause three times. Or when you greet a fellow Muslim, you’ll make an extra effort to smile and offer the fuller greeting. These small acts, done with sincerity, can truly lead us to a fuller, more blessed Deen.