“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
The message is clear. If you follow the Sunnah, you’ll lead a happier and more productive life.
The Sunnah describe the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed. His guidance can help us to become more fruitful and lead happier lives that please Allah.
There are hundreds of Sunnah and we should try to follow them as much as possible. In this multi-part series, we’re going to look at 10 that are especially useful in modern life.
Sunnah #1 – Smile Often
“The Messenger of God never refused me permission to see him since I embraced Islam and never looked at me except with a smile (on his face).” - Jarir ibn Abdullah.
Mohammed smiled often, to the point where it became a part of the kind demeanour that he’s revered for.
Smiling also has a positive effect on our life. It releases serotonin in your brain, which improves your mood. It also has a positive effect on the people around us and is crucial to building relationships with others.
It’s a simple act that costs nothing and improves every aspect of your life. So turn your frown upside down and feel the benefits.
Sunnah #2 – Wake Up for Fajr
“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 remembers Allah, then one knot is undone. When he (or she) performs ablution (wudu) the second knot is undone. And when he (she) prays, all the knots are undone, and he (she) gets up in the morning lively and in a good mood, otherwise he (she) gets up dull and gloomy.” – Bukhari
The temptation to stay in bed for that extra hour is always strong. So often, we choose sleep over Fajr.
As Allah’s Apostle points out, doing so means you fail to untie the three knots.
You’ll often find that a little laziness leads to an unproductive and difficult day. However, waking early and engaging in Fajr puts you in good spirits and means you enjoy a more productive day.
Sunnah #3 – Maintain Your Hair
“The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'Whosoever has hair, look after it.' Meaning to wash the hair, to oil and comb it.” - Abu Hurayrah
How you present yourself has more importance than you may think. The Prophet pointed out that unkempt hair makes a person appear to be as Shaytan.
You should comb when necessary, though you do not need to comb once per day. Doing so only when your hair is unkempt is recommended.
Regular oiling is also a necessity, especially when it comes to remaining productive. Oil soothers the nerves in your head and strengthens your blood vessels. Doing this yourself, instead of spending money at the salon, saves time and keeps your mind in good working order.
To Be Continued…
This covers just three of the 10 Sunnah that are essential to a happier and more productive life. Start following them today and be sure to check back soon to find out the other Sunnah that will help you lead a happier life.
