Forgotten Sunnahs: Reviving Beloved Practices for a Fuller Deen

Imagine sitting with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, not just hearing about his life, but feeling the rhythm of his day. Picture the gentle way he'd wake up, the subtle mannerisms that defined his interactions, the quiet moments of remembrance that infused his every action with divine purpose. It’s easy to feel a pang of longing for that proximity, for that intimate connection to the Sunnah. Yet, often, when we think of Sunnah, we might picture the grander gestures or the more commonly known practices. What about the ones that have, perhaps, faded from our daily awareness?

This isn't about guilt; it's about rediscovery. It's about recognizing that the beauty of Islam isn't just in the monumental acts of worship, but in the thousand small, consistent ways the Prophet ﷺ lived his life, guided by revelation and embodying mercy.

The Everlasting Significance of Sunnah

The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is far more than a historical record; it's a living, breathing blueprint for a life pleasing to Allah. The Quran tells us:

Arabic: وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ Translation: "And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." Transliteration: Wa ma atakumur-Rasulu fakhuduhu wa ma nahakum 'anhu fantahu. Wattaqullaha, inna Allaha shadeedul-'iqaab — Surah Al-Hashr, 59:7

This ayah is a direct command, placing the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings and practices on par with the Quran itself in terms of guidance. His life, his words, his silent approvals – they are all part of this divine tapestry that guides us towards Allah.

Reviving forgotten Sunnahs isn't about adding more to an already busy schedule. It’s about infusing our existing lives with the blessings and barakah that come from following the example of the one Allah chose to deliver His final message. It's about drawing closer to the Prophet ﷺ, and through him, closer to our Creator.

Beyond the Obvious: Uncovering Hidden Gems

When we talk about Sunnah, certain practices immediately come to mind: praying in congregation, fasting Ramadan, giving charity. These are pillars, undoubtedly. But the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah permeated every aspect of his existence. Let’s look at some practices that might not be front-of-mind for many of us, yet hold immense reward and spiritual significance.

The Etiquette of Entering and Exiting

It sounds simple, almost trivial, but the way we enter and leave our homes, or any place, carries Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to greet those inside when entering and to say Salam even if no one is home.

Arabic: إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَهْلَهُ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِمْ، تَحِيَّةً مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً Translation: "When one of you enters his house, he should greet with Salam upon its dwellers, a greeting blessed and pure from Allah." Transliteration: Idha dakhal ahadukum ahlahu falyusallim 'alayhim, tahiyyatan min 'indillahi mubaraka tayyibah — Sahih Muslim 2062

Think about it. This simple act transforms a house into a home filled with peace. It acknowledges Allah's presence and the sanctity of family and community. When leaving, the Sunnah is to say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar, and Taawwuth. If you're going to the Masjid, you'd also say the specific dua for leaving the house for prayer.

The Virtue of Looking at the Sky

This might raise an eyebrow. Looking at the sky? The Prophet ﷺ, when he looked up, would say:

Arabic: سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي لَا يَعْتَدِي عَلَى أَهْلِ مَمْلَكَتِهِ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي لَا يَأْخُذُ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ بِعَذَابٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي إِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا كَانَ لَا يُشَارُ إِلَيْهِ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي إِذَا غَابَ عَنْ أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ لَمْ يَفْقِدُوهُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى، وَيُمِيتُ الْأَحْيَاءَ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Translation: "Glory be to Him Who does not punish His kingdom's inhabitants. Glory be to Him Who does not seize the earth's dwellers with punishment from the heaven. Glory be to Him Who, when He decrees a matter, is not consulted. Glory be to Him Who, if He is absent from the inhabitants of the heaven, they do not miss Him. Glory be to Him Who revives the dead and causes the living to die, and He is Most Powerful over all things." Transliteration: Subhanalladhi la ya'tadi 'ala ahli mamlakatihi, subhanalladhi la ya'khudhu ahla al-ardi bi 'adhaabin minas-samaa'i, subhanalladhi idha qada amran kana la yushaaru ilayhi, subhanalladhi idha ghaaba 'an ahli as-samaa'i lam yafqiduhu, subhanalladhi yuhyi al-mawta wa yumitul-ahyaa'a wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer — Al-Bukhari (in Adab Al-Mufrad, authentic chain), and Abu Dawud 5063 (Hasan)

This wasn't just idle stargazing. It was a profound reflection on Allah’s majesty, His unique power, and His perfect control over creation. It’s a reminder that even when we're looking 'up', our hearts should be turned 'to' the One above. How often do we pause our busy lives to contemplate the heavens and glorify Allah?

The Sunnah of Yawning

Yawning is a natural bodily function, often seen as a sign of tiredness or boredom. But even this, the Prophet ﷺ guided us on.

Arabic: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ إِذَا عَطَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ، وَأَمَّا التَّثَاؤُبُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ، فَإِذَا تَثَاءَبَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَرُدَّهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ، فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَالَ هَاهَ، قَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ: أَخِي! Translation: "Saying 'Alhamdulillah' is incumbent upon every Muslim. And the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Yawning is from Satan, so if one of you yawns, let him check it as much as he can, for if one of you says "Ha" (yawning sound), Satan laughs at him.'" Transliteration: Alhamdulillah 'alladhi 'atas-ahadukum, wa amma at-tathaaubu fa innama huwa minash-shaytaan. Fa idha tathaa'aba ahadukum falyarudduhu ma-stata'a, fa inna ahadukum idha qaala hah, qaalash-shaytaan: akhi! — Sahih Muslim 2994 (partially)

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to suppress a yawn as much as possible, by placing the hand over the mouth. This humble act is a way to thwart Satan's attempt to mock or distract us during moments of physical vulnerability. It’s a small but consistent reminder to be mindful of our actions, even the involuntary ones.

The Manner of Drinking

We drink multiple times a day. Every time presents an opportunity to follow the Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ would drink in three sips, taking the cup in his right hand, and saying Bismillah before starting and Alhamdulillah after finishing.

Arabic: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَتَنَفَّسُ ثَلَاثًا إِذَا شَرِبَ Translation: "The Prophet ﷺ used to take three breaths (while drinking), i.e., he used to separate the cups and drink in three gulps." Transliteration: An-Nabi ﷺ kana yatanffasu thalathan idha sharib — Sahih al-Bukhari 5631

Why three sips? It allows for a more pleasant and healthy intake of liquid, preventing gulping and aiding digestion. It also breaks down the act into distinct moments of gratitude and remembrance. Imagine your daily water intake becoming a series of small acts of worship.

The Importance of Saying 'Ameen'

Many of us say 'Ameen' after the Fatihah in prayer. But do we realize the profound significance and the Sunnah behind it? The Prophet ﷺ emphasized saying 'Ameen' loudly, especially after the Imam finishes reciting it.

Arabic: إِذَا أَمَّنَ الْإِمَامُ فَأَمِّنُوا ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ وَافَقَ تَأْمِينُهُ تَأْمِينَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ Translation: "When the Imam says 'Ameen,' you should say 'Ameen' as well. For if one's 'Ameen' coincides with the angels' 'Ameen,' he will be forgiven all his previous sins." Transliteration: Idha ammanal-imamu fa-amminu, fa innahu man wafaqa ta'meenuhu ta'meenal-malaa'ikati ghufira lahu ma taqaddama min dhanbihi — Sahih al-Bukhari 780

This hadith highlights the immense merit in synchronizing our 'Ameen' with that of the angels. It's a moment of intense supplication where our prayers are amplified. Ensuring we say it clearly and with intention can be a gateway to forgiveness, a beautiful reminder of Allah's mercy available to us in our congregational prayers.

The Spiritual Impact of Small Actions

It's easy to dismiss these as minor details. But the Prophet's ﷺ entire life was a demonstration that the smallest actions, performed with sincerity and consistency, accumulate immense spiritual weight. Allah does not look at our outward appearances or our wealth, but at our hearts and our deeds.

Arabic: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ Translation: "Indeed, Allah does not look at your forms or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds." Transliteration: Inna Allaha la yanzuru ila suwarikum wa amwalikum, wa lakin yanzuru ila qulubikum wa a'malikum — Sahih Muslim 2564

By reviving these forgotten Sunnahs, we are not just imitating the Prophet ﷺ; we are actively purifying our intentions, refining our character, and making our entire lives a form of worship. Each time we remember to say Bismillah before eating, to greet our family with Salam, or to suppress a yawn, we are planting seeds of taqwa (consciousness of Allah) that will, Insha Allah, blossom into a fuller, more meaningful Deen.

This approach transforms the mundane into the sacred. Your meals become acts of worship. Your interactions become opportunities for dawah (invitation to Islam) through your character. Your moments of rest become conscious acts of seeking Allah’s pleasure.

Practical Steps to Reviving Forgotten Sunnahs

So, how do we bring these beautiful practices back into our lives without feeling overwhelmed?

1. Start Small: Pick one or two Sunnahs that resonate with you from the ones discussed or others you’ve learned about. Maybe it’s the way you drink water, or the dua you say before entering your home.
2. Make Duas: Ask Allah to help you implement and be consistent with these practices. Your sincere supplication is key.
3. Educate Yourself: Read about the wisdom behind these Sunnahs. Understanding the why makes it easier to remember and value them.
4. Involve Family: Share what you learn with your family. Practicing together creates a supportive environment and strengthens the household's connection to the Sunnah.
5. Be Patient: Consistency takes time. Don't get discouraged if you forget sometimes. Just gently remind yourself and try again. Allah loves the deeds that are done consistently, even if they are small.

Reviving these beloved practices is an ongoing journey, a beautiful process of drawing closer to the Prophet ﷺ and, ultimately, to Allah. It’s about making our lives a reflection of the perfect example Allah sent us, infusing every moment with His remembrance and love.

Let us strive, with the help of Allah, to reawaken these forgotten treasures, making our Deen not just a set of rituals, but a holistic way of life that brings us closer to our Beloved Messenger ﷺ and fills our lives with unparalleled peace and barakah. May Allah make it easy for us all.