Quick question to refresh our minds: who was 

Prophet Muhammad  ?

As Muslims, we believe he was the last and final messenger of the Creator to mankind. His
life is an example for generations after generations until the end of time.

He provided the best example on how to live in a pure and humble way, with the worship

of Allah   the Creator as our purpose and pivotal role.

The word “sunnah” is used to describe the life and teachings of the Prophet  .

The sunnah is an ultimate guidance for leading a productive, successful life. Sometimes we
neglect the sunnah, however, and we find ourselves googling “how to be

successful/smart/productive”. Yet, the sunnah of the Prophet   has already provided us

with gems on how to do just that.

Better yet, the Prophet   said:

“Whoever revives my Sunnah then he has loved me. And whoever loved me, he shall be with
me in Paradise.” [Tirmidhi]

Not only for our personal gain but out of love for our beloved Prophet  , we should try
to live our life by the sunnah as much as possible.

We should be active in seeking the Barakah that comes with learning about the life of the

final messenger to mankind  .

We should be engaging with the life of our Prophet  , so our love and respect for him
grow.

When learning about the Prophet  , we find hundreds of stories, attributes and habits that
are beneficial for our lives if implemented, In sha Allah.

In this article, we will discuss 12 sunnahs of the Prophet   that we must aim to revive, In
sha Allah, in the hope of increasing our productivity, and seeking the company of our

beloved Prophet   in the Hereafter.

1. Sleeping and waking up early

Our sleeping pattern plays a great role in our ability to function effectively during the
day. The hours after Fajr are among the most blessed of the day.

Starting the day off by praying the morning salah gives you Barakah and sets you in the right
frame of mind. It allows you to be the best you can be throughout the day.

However, in order to rise in the early hours it is imperative to sleep early as your body
requires an adequate amount of rest.

Aisha    said about the Prophet  :

“He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his
bed.” [Bukhari]

When we have a million things to do, it is easy to fall into a horrible cycle of sleeping late
and waking up late.

This is especially true if you are chasing the hustle rather than a Barakah culture.

Due to our failure to wake up early, one day extends into the next in order to finish our list of
tasks.

Break that cycle today! Wake up early and sleep early to be the strong, successful and all
that you want to be, In sha Allah.

2. Having a pleasant smile always

Ibn Jaz reports: “I have not seen anyone who smiled more than the Messenger of Allah 
.”[Tirmidhi]

Smiling has been shown to increase the natural antidepressant hormone, serotonin,

causing the one who wears a smile to be happier.

We underestimate the power of a smile on both ourselves and those around us.

This characteristic is highly contagious and plays a massive role in building relationships
with those around you.

A positive mind and attitude are irreplaceable in the quest to be productive and achieve your
goals in life. Smiling is a simple, inexpensive act that helps lift your mood and makes
you feel more grateful and content.
Since our Prophet   was seen frequently doing it, there is even more reason to smile! So,
let’s follow along this great sunnah.

Consciously take note of your usual facial expression: is your normal expression a
happy one or do you often appear sad, exhausted, preoccupied or frustrated?

It will take a bit of regular effort, but you can cut down on the frowning, smile more often

and spread joy and peace around you, just as the Prophet   instructed.

3. Using the siwak

Abu Hurairah   narrated that Allah’s Messenger   said:

“If it were not that it would be difficult on my nation, then I would have ordered them to use
the siwak for each prayer.” [Tirmidhi]

This hadith indicates the view of the Prophet   towards the siwak.

Siwak comes from the Salvadora persica tree and has many antibacterial qualities, making it
a great way to maintain hygiene of the mouth.

It can be said, given how often the Prophet   would have liked us to use the siwak, that
there is a big emphasis on maintaining oral hygiene in Islam.

It is narrated that the Prophet   would use siwak upon waking.

The teeth are delicate and when problems occur they can cause a tremendous amount of pain.
So this sunnah introduces preventative measures against an issue that can have you rolled up
in bed for days.

Siwak is easily purchasable and relatively cheap, making it an easy sunnah to uphold. It
keeps the mouth clean and fresh naturally and effortlessly all the time.

Abdur-Rahman bin Abu ‘Atiq said: “My father told me: ‘I heard ‘Aishah say, (narrating)

from the Prophet  : “Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and is pleasing to the
Lord.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]

4. Oiling hair
I heard Jabir bin Samurah being asked about the grey hairs of the Prophet  . He said: ‘If
he put oil on his head they could not be seen, but if he did not put oil on his head, they could
be seen.’” [An-Nasa’i]

The act of oiling is something many of us do not recognise to be a part of the sunnah.

This hadith alludes to the idea of using oil to prevent grey hairs being visible, highlighting

that the sunnah of the Prophet   encompasses every aspect of life.

Oiling hair on a regular basis prevents hair loss and greying, promotes strong and lustrous
hair by strengthening hair protein.

It rejuvenates and relaxes the mind by soothing the brain’s nerves and capillaries.

Many of us seek this by spending a great deal of money at hairdressers and spas. Yet, this
simple sunnah can save us a great deal of money, time and effort whilst we continue to live

like our beloved Prophet  .

5. Maintaining the 1/3rd rule in eating

Miqdam bin Madikarib said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah   say:

‘A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to
eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food,
one third for drink and one third for air.’” [Ibn Majah]

It is an underestimated fact that food has a dramatic effect on your body’s and brain’s
performance.

This hadith clearly highlights that overeating is a reprehensible quality we should stay away
from.

However, it is also important to remember that undereating is equally harmful to a person.

In order to function, we need to have a balanced outlook towards our meals; our level of food
consumption should not leave us feeling tired or bloated.

This is a state that leads to laziness, which is a vice we seek refuge in Allah   from.

Can you conquer the world by sleeping? No. So, eat a nutritious, balanced meal that is
sufficient in suppressing your hunger.
6. Speaking good or keeping silent

The Prophet   said:

“He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in
good terms about it or keep quiet.” [Muslim]

We often find ourselves in situations where we sit and talk about things that do not concern
us.

We waste precious minutes, even hours, just by talking about matters that will not increase us
in knowledge, character or anything for that matter.

When speaking ill of a person or situation, the conversation becomes elongated, sadly due to
the desire to gossip.

The beauty of this particular sunnah is that it will help you save time and reduce the amount
of energy used to contemplate over irrelevant matters being discussed.

This energy and time could be well spent on something beneficial, such as reading Qur’an or
doing vital tasks or only speaking things that benefit oneself and others in dunya and akhirah.

7. Doing hijama (cupping)

The Prophet   said:

“If there is any healing in your medicines, then it is in cupping, a gulp of honey or branding
with fire (cauterization) that suits the ailment, but I don’t like to be (cauterized) branded with
fire.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet   would be cupped on a regular basis. This form of treatment has been used
throughout history in a number of countries.

The benefits of cupping are vast, including the removal of toxins within the
blood. Studies have shown cupping to be beneficial in the treatment of migraines, fertility and
joint pain.

This can be taken as a therapeutic measure against stress, helping to relieve a person of
thoughts that impinge on their ability to complete their daily tasks.

8. Visiting the sick

The Prophet    said:

“Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and set free the captives.” [Bukhari]

The concept of looking out for others is found throughout the teachings of the Prophet  .

Sadly, we are regularly aware of people within our circle of family, friends and acquaintances
who are tested with an illness, big or small.

Visiting and spending time with them has two major benefits. You demonstrate love towards
another, instantly tightening the bonds of kinship/friendship.

Also, to see someone who is unable to function as well as they normally can, is a strong
reminder of the blessing of health.

This is something that we often take for granted, or even push aside, whilst we are rushing
around at home and at work.

So, the next time you hear of someone who is ill, try your best to go beyond sending them a
‘get well soon’ and practice a forgotten Sunnah –  make the effort to be physically present
and comfort them. Seek Barakah, not the hustle!

9. Sitting when eating/drinking

It was narrated from Anas  : “The Prophet   prohibited that a man should drink
while standing.” (Qatadah said) So it was said: “And eating?” He (Anas) said: “That is
worse.” [Tirmidhi]

Those who stand to eat or drink always look like they are in a rush.

Sitting down to mindfully eat slows a person in their eating habits, reducing the amount they
are likely to swallow and the unhealthy speed at which they do so.

As mentioned above, eating consciously prevents a person from becoming fatigued due

to their stomach size.

Importantly, eating together as a family, which requires you to sit, is a crucial way to build
relationships.

The same can be said at work – take the time to build friendships with colleagues – it is not
all about the bank balance!

10. Sleeping on your right side

“When Allah’s Messenger   went to bed, he used to sleep on his right side.”[Bukhari]

One of the main points to consider when a person wants to have a productive, blessed day is
to look at how you go to sleep.

The Prophet   was most successful in how he spent his days; the way in which he took to
his sleep played a role in helping him to be our leader and our guide.

Following in his footsteps is the key to unlocking a fruitful morning.

11. Saying Salam/Bismillah before entering a house

The Messenger of Allah   said:

“If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says,
addressing his followers: ‘You will find nowhere to spend the night and no dinner.’ But if he
enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says (to his followers); ‘You have found
(a place) to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of
eating, Satan says: ‘You have found (a place) to spend the night in as well as food.”‘
[Muslim]

None of us wants shaytan to enter our homes; we are aware of the distractions he creates to
lead us to our destruction.

Consequently, it is fundamentally important to seek refuge from his evil ways. Upon entering

our homes, it is crucial to utter the Name of Allah   to prevent our doors from being open
to our enemy.

Shaytan dislikes productivity and success; his ultimate goal is to see us fail in our journey

with Allah  .

Take the measures, as given in the Sunnah, against him because he will squeeze into
whatever gap is visible to him. Never let the enemy win!

12. Untying the three knots

Waking up for Fajr is a battle many of us have experienced or are experiencing.

The hours of the morning, as mentioned above, are a blessed time for being productive in

studying and completing various tasks for the sake of Allah  .

It is a time for seeking Barakah. The sad reality is, many of us miss out on this because we
fail to wake up for Fajr on time.

Allah’s Messenger   said:

“During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he
breathes the following words at each knot, ‘The night is, long, so keep on sleeping,’ If that
person wakes up and celebrates the praises of Allah, then one knot is undone, and when he
performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he prays, all the knots are undone,
and he gets up in the morning lively and in good spirits, otherwise he gets up in low spirits
and lethargic.” [Bukhari]

This hadith sets out the plan of action to be successful: wake up, praise Allah  , perform
wudu and pray Fajr.

Being lively and in good spirits are the perfect ingredients to having a productive day, and
this is what you will achieve when you follow this sunnah, In sha Allah.

How blessed are we that our religion teaches us about all the ingredients of a successful
life. Alhamdulillah!

Tell us, do you think you can easily incorporate all these sunnahs in your life? What other
sunnahs can you think of that can help to increase our productivity?