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Alhamdulilah, the more I learn the more I want to implement. Here are some habits I am currently working on. One day I’d like to be consistent and have them be my way of life. God willing.

The first one deals with the most important part of my day.

Prayer – When I start praying, the goal is to be modest, attempt to have khushuu, and pray on time. However, I am now learning about the beautification that needs to happen before I even enter into prayer. I am meeting with the Most Honorable, the Most High, so of course this only makes sense.

Allah Most High says:

يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍۢ

Children of Adam, dress well whenever you are at worship [7:31]

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

لَوْلَا أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي، لَأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ مَعَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ

Were it not that it would be difficult for my nation, I would have commanded them to use the siwāk with every prayer.

Having learned this, I like to enter each prayer with my teeth already brushed, put on a nice garment, and spray some perfume. Five times a day is a lot, and it is a work in progress, but I pray it becomes second nature soon. I fully understand the importance of this meeting, and I am grateful to be given the presence of my Creator.

As I get physically ready for the prayer, I also want to prepare myself spiritually. This habit of making a special du’a ensures that I am at my best.

Dua against laziness – As Muslims, we have to strive for excellence in everything we do, and this requires serious focus. I know I need to seek Allah’s assistance.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made this dua often:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief; I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness; I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness; and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being overcome by people.

I think, as humans, we have so many emotions and we go through stressful moments that we don’t know how to handle. Our minds and bodies are so fragile; therefore, we are susceptible to ups and downs in our overall well-being. Every day our life can change in the blink of an eye, and that can be extremely challenging. We need all the protection we can get.

This dua covers every area and I feel like it gives me that extra boost I need for the day.

As I ask Allah for this protection, I am inspired to start my mornings in His presence.

Duha prayer – This prayer is in the morning after sunrise and before Duhr prayer.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلَامَى مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ

Every morning, charity is due from every joint of each of you.

وَيُجْزِئُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَكْعَتَانِ يَرْكَعُهُمَا مِنَ الضُّحَى

And two rakʿahs of Duḥā are sufficient for all of that.

Because it’s at the start of the day, it can be challenging to find time if I’m out at work, school, running errands, etc. However, I want to make this more of a priority because let’s be real, it only takes a few minutes and when I do pray Duha, I just feel a sense of relief that I can’t explain, like I did something right, and all is well in the world.

To be with Allah, we must hold firmly to His message. That’s why daily recitation of Qur’an is a non-negotiable in my day.

Reciting Surah Baqarah –

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

اقْرَؤُوا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ، فَإِنَّ أَخْذَهَا بَرَكَةٌ، وَتَرْكَهَا حَسْرَةٌ، وَلَا تَسْتَطِيعُهَا الْبَطَلَةُ

Recite Sūrat al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing, abandoning it is a loss, and the magicians cannot overcome it.

Who doesn’t need Barakah? Who doesn’t want protection from magic? And who would want to live in regret? No one. But the real question is, who is willing to do the work? Reciting Surah Baqarah is no easy task, but its rewards are also so abundant. I ask Allah to make me someone who can incorporate this in my life and make the Qur’an my companion in this life and the next.

Remembrance transcends the moments we are in worship. Our souls are constantly yearning for Him.

Turning to Allah for everything – Simple, easy, and efficacious.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

لِيَسْأَلْ أَحَدُكُمْ رَبَّهُ حَاجَتَهُ كُلَّهَا، حَتَّى يَسْأَلَهُ شِسْعَ نَعْلِهِ إِذَا انْقَطَعَ

Let one of you ask his Lord for all his needs, even the strap of his sandal when it breaks.

My first thought usually is: how do I take control of the situation? How can I fix the issue? However, this Hadith reminds me to turn to Allah first. Yes, I still have to put in the work, but it is Allah who can make it easy. Oftentimes, I struggle before I ask Allah for help. Now I remember Allah before I even start. Alhamdulilah.

As I aim to add these new practices in my life, I am reminded of something the Messenger of God said:

أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ

The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are few.

The goal is not to collect habits but rather to be consistent in the ones that are emphasized in the Sunnah and make the most impact for me. I want them to feel seamless in my day and to constantly be in the remembrance of the Most High, so much so that it becomes the essence of who I am. I want to be someone who, when you see them, you remember His grace and mercy.

We are only on Earth to worship Allah, and these habits will be fruitful in this life and the next.

This is just the beginning. Let us continue onwards.

ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ, I ask You for consistency, for ease in building these habits. Most importantly, for Your pleasure in everything I do. Forgive me for my shortcomings and increase me in beneficial knowledge.

Peace and blessings upon the Nabi of Allah.