Forgotten Sunnahs: Reviving Practices for a Fuller Deen

Imagine this: You’re sitting with your family after Isha prayer. The house is quiet, everyone’s a little tired, but there’s a peace that settles. You turn to your spouse, or perhaps your child, and start recounting a simple act the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to do – something so small, yet so profound. Maybe it’s how he ﷺ would enter his home, or perhaps how he ﷺ would start his meal. It’s a moment that connects you, not just to each other, but to the very essence of our faith, breathing life into practices we might have let slip away.

We often talk about the pillars of Islam, the major acts of worship that form the bedrock of our deen. But what about the gentle currents that flow beneath, enriching our lives and drawing us closer to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ? These are the forgotten sunnahs – the beloved practices that, when revived, don’t just add to our deen, but deepen it, infuse it with warmth, and make it a living, breathing part of our daily existence.

The Rich Tapestry of Sunnah

The term 'sunnah' encompasses far more than just rituals. It's the way of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – his actions, his sayings, his approvals, and even his tacit acknowledgments. It’s a comprehensive guide for living a life pleasing to Allah. When we learn about and implement these practices, we’re not just mimicking; we’re aligning our lives with the best example humanity has ever known, the one Allah Himself praised: "And indeed, you are of a great moral character." (Quran 68:4).

This isn't about adding more burdens. It's about rediscovering treasures. Many of these forgotten sunnahs are incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort but yielding immense spiritual returns. They are the whispers of guidance, the echoes of a life lived in perfect submission to Allah, waiting to be heard and acted upon.

Waking Up with Remembrance

Our day often begins with the jarring sound of an alarm. But the Prophet ﷺ taught us a different, more peaceful start. He ﷺ would wake up and remember Allah, seeking His forgiveness and praising Him. This simple act sets the tone for the entire day, reminding us of our ultimate purpose.

Arabic: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

Translation: "Praise is to Allah Who gave us life after death, and to Him is the return."

Transliteration: Alhamdulillahilladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilaihin-nushur.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 6312

This hadith, often taught to children, is a profound reminder. Life itself is a gift from Allah. By beginning our day with gratitude and acknowledgment, we are grounding ourselves in reality, acknowledging our dependence on Him and His sovereignty over our lives. It’s a beautiful way to transition from sleep to wakefulness, imbuing our morning with spirituality from the very first breath.

Entering and Exiting the Home with Peace

How we enter and leave our homes can also be a source of blessing. The Prophet ﷺ taught specific supplications for these moments, turning a mundane action into an act of worship. These aren't just words; they are a declaration of trust in Allah and a seeking of His protection and guidance.

When entering:

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا

Translation: "In the name of Allah, we enter, and in the name of Allah, we leave, and upon our Lord we rely."

Transliteration: Bismillah, walajna, wa bismillah kharajna, wa 'ala Rabbina tawakkalna.

— Abu Dawud 5093 (Hasan)

When leaving:

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ

Translation: "In the name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah. There is no might nor power except with Allah."

Transliteration: Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

— Abu Dawud 5095 (Sahih)

Think about it: as you step out for work, to get groceries, or to visit family, you’re invoking Allah’s name and placing your trust in Him. This small act can transform a potentially stressful or mundane outing into an experience filled with divine protection and peace. It’s a shield against unseen harms and a source of inner calm.

The Etiquette of Eating and Drinking

Our relationship with food and drink is intimate. The Prophet ﷺ elevated even these basic necessities into opportunities for spiritual growth. The emphasis on starting with 'Bismillah' and ending with 'Alhamdulillah' isn't just politeness; it’s a constant remembrance of the Giver of sustenance.

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 biyaminehi, wa idha shariba falyashrab biyaminehi, fa inash-shaytana ya'kulu bishimalihi wa yashrabu bishimalih.

— Sahih Muslim 2020

This hadith highlights not just the importance of using the right hand for eating and drinking, but also its underlying reason: distinguishing ourselves from Satan. It’s a simple act of obedience and an assertion of our identity as believers. Beyond that, the Sunnah encourages eating together, not wasting food, and being mindful of what we consume.

The Practice of Siwak

One of the most consistently mentioned and beloved sunnahs is the use of the siwak. It’s a dental hygiene tool made from the root of the Salvadora persica tree, used to clean the teeth. The Prophet ﷺ used it regularly and strongly recommended it.

Arabic: السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ، مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ

Translation: "The Siwak is a means of purifying the mouth and pleasing the Lord."

Transliteration: As-siwaku mat-haratun lil-fam, marḍatun lir-Rabb.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 888

Consider the profoundness of this statement. A simple twig, readily available in many parts of the world historically, is a source of both physical cleanliness and divine pleasure. In an age of advanced dental care, the siwak might seem quaint, yet it carries immense spiritual weight. It’s a sunnah that benefits our health directly while earning us the pleasure of Allah.

Resting in the Afternoon (Qaylulah)

The hustle of modern life often leaves us feeling drained. The Prophet ﷺ, despite his immense responsibilities, understood the importance of rest. He ﷺ would often take a midday nap, known as qaylulah.

Arabic: قَائِلُوا فَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لاَ تُقَائِلُ

Translation: "Take a nap, for the devils do not take naps."

Transliteration: Qailu fa inna ash-shayateena la tuqailu.

— At-Tabarani (Sahih chain according to Al-Albani)

This hadith is a beautiful encouragement to prioritize rest. It's not about laziness, but about strategic rejuvenation. A short nap can increase productivity, improve mood, and refresh the mind, allowing us to better fulfill our duties to Allah and His creation. It's a practical wisdom from our beloved Prophet ﷺ that many of us could benefit from adopting.

Specific Duas for Daily Occurrences

Beyond the major duas, the Sunnah is replete with specific supplications for almost every aspect of life – from wearing clothes and looking in the mirror to dealing with anger and fear. These small prayers act as constant reminders of Allah’s presence and our reliance on Him.

When looking in the mirror:

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ كَمَا أَحْسَنْتَ خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي

Translation: "O Allah, just as You have made my form beautiful, so make my character beautiful."

Transliteration: Allahumma kama ahsanta khalqi fa hassin khuluqi.

— Ahmad (Sahih chain according to Al-Albani)

This dua beautifully connects our physical appearance with our inner character, a constant reminder that true beauty lies in our manners and actions. It's a call to self-reflection and improvement, guided by the wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ.

Why Revive These Practices?

Reviving these forgotten sunnahs is more than just a nostalgic pursuit. It’s a conscious effort to:

1. Deepen our connection with the Prophet ﷺ: By emulating his actions, we feel closer to him and his blessed way of life.
2. Increase our rewards: Every act done with the intention of following the Sunnah carries great reward.
3. Bring barakah into our lives: The blessings of Allah often accompany the adherence to His commands and the practices of His Messenger ﷺ.
4. Strengthen our character: Many sunnahs are intrinsically linked to good manners and ethical conduct.
5. Instill mindfulness: These practices encourage us to be present and conscious of Allah in our daily routines.

As Allah says in the Quran:

"Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'" (Quran 3:31)

The path to loving and being loved by Allah is through following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His sunnah is our roadmap.

Making Sunnah a Habit

Reviving these practices doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start small. Pick one or two sunnahs that resonate with you and focus on implementing them consistently. Perhaps it’s the morning remembrance, or using the siwak, or the dua for entering your home. Once it becomes a natural part of your routine, you can incorporate another.

Share these practices with your family and friends. Learning and implementing them together can be a powerful motivator. It turns individual acts into a collective journey of devotion.

Let’s not let these precious gems of our deen remain buried. Let’s dust them off, embrace them, and let them illuminate our lives, bringing us closer to Allah, closer to His Messenger ﷺ, and to the beautiful, fulfilling way of life He has granted us. It’s about making our deen not just a set of beliefs and rituals, but a lived, breathed, and cherished reality.

So, tonight, after Maghrib, maybe try reciting the dua for entering your home as you go in for dinner. Or tomorrow morning, wake up a minute earlier and try the dua upon waking. These small steps are the beginnings of a profound revival, turning forgotten sunnahs into beloved, life-enriching practices. May Allah make it easy for us all.