بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the continuation of the series, that focuses on implementing sunnah in our lives. In the last post, we talked about the manners of sleeping. In this post, we will look at the Sunnahs of sneezing and yawning:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Allah loves sneezing but dislikes yawning; so if anyone of you sneezes and then praises Allah, every Muslim who hears him (praising Allah) has to say Tashmit to him. But as regards yawning, it is from Satan, so if one of you yawns, he should try his best to stop it, for when anyone of you yawns, Satan laughs at him." [Bhukari: English reference: Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 245. Arabic reference : Book 78, Hadith 6298]

Click here to show evidences/reference links

Sneezing:

• Saying 'May Allah Have Mercy on You' to the person who sneezed. [Bhukari: 241]. This is to be done only after the sneezer praises Allah (i.e. says Alhumdullilah) [Bhukari: Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 241][Muslim Book 42, Hadith 7127]
• After the sneezer hears someone say "May Allah have mercy on you",  it is sunnah for him to say "May Allah guide you and rectify your situation" or "May Allah have mercy on us and you, and may He forgive us and you" [Bhukari: Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 243] [Muwattaa Imam Malik: Book 54, Hadith 5]
• One should try to keep the sound of his sneeze as low as possible "Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth, suppressing the sound this way. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]"
• One should say "May Allah have mercy on you" for three sneezes. If the other person sneezes more than that, then he has a cold. [Muwatta Imam Malik: Book 54, Hadith 4]

Manners of Yawning:

• One should try to suppress yawn [Muslim: Book 42, Hadith 7129] [Bhukari: Vol 4, Book 54, Hadith 509]
• Its better to cover mouth with hand (http://sunnah.com/urn/271320)

Tip of the Week:

"You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.” Anthony Robbins. All of us probably know many of these manners of sneezing and yawning but the problem is that we don't practice what we know. Make it your goal that for the next seven days, you will practice what you learnt in this post!

Action Item:

1. Share this post on social networks.
2. Review the old posts in the series

References:

• The Book of Manners by Fuad Ibn Abdul-Azeez
• Riyad Saliheen - Book of Greetings
• IslamQA - #145679

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 - Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 - On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 - Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 - Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan
• Week 6 - Dressing Up, Walking
• A Siwaak a Day
• O Boy - Ya Ghulam!
• Manners of Sleeping

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the continuation of the series, that focuses on implementing sunnah in our lives. In the last post, we talked about the etiquette of eating. In this post, we will look at the Sunnahs of going to sleep

Click here to show evidences/reference links

What to recite before going to sleep:

• Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas and wipe the body. Do it three times. [Bhukari - 4684]
• Recite Ayah Al-Kursee [Bhukari - 4678]
• Say the supplication for going to sleep [link]
• Last two verses of Surah Al-Bakrah [Bhukari - 2902]

Etiquette of going to sleep:

• Be in a state of purity [Bhukari - 5908]
• Sleep on your right side [Bhukari - 5908]
• Place the hand under the cheek [Bhukari - 5911]
• Dust the bed [Bhukari - 6917]
• Don’t lie down on belly/stomach [Dawud:  5022]

Tip of the Week:

“For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.” Change your attitude. Instead of saying that “I will or I should implement these things”, make it “I must do it” and make it consistent!

Action Item:

1. Share this post on social networks.
2. Review the old posts in the series

References:

• Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International
• More than 1000 Sunan for Every Day & Night – Dar us Salam
• Riyad Saliheen – Chapter 27

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 – Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan
• Week 6 – Dressing Up, Walking
• A Siwaak a Day
• O Boy – Ya Ghulam!

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the continuation of the series, that focuses on implementing sunnah in our lives.

Here is the sunnah items, we will be focusing on in this week:

Click here to show evidences/reference links

Sunnah’s of Eating:

• Pronounce the Tasmiya (Bismilla) [Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 65 :: Hadith 288]
• If you forget to say Bismillah, before starting, say this supplication. [At-Tirmidhee 5/506]
• Eat with the right hand
• Eat from what is infront of you
• If some food drops, clean it and then eat it [Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 5044]
• Eat with three fingers [Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 5040]
• Eat together [Dawud :: Book 27 : Hadith 3755]
• Not finding faults in food [Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 5121]

After Eating:

• Lick the bowl and the finger [Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 5043]
• Praise Allah - Supplication Link. As per the hadith in [At-Tirmidhee, The Book of Supplications, Hadeeth 3458], whoever says this dua after eating, his previous sins will be forgiven.

Tip of the Week:

Go through the list again and for each item, ask yourself “Do I follow this sunnah most of time , or some of the time, rarely or not at all” and then act accordingly.

Action Item:

1. Share this post on Facebook.

References:

• 1000 Sunnah Per Day and Night [View/Download]
• Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International
• More than 1000 Sunan for Every Day & Night – Dar us Salam
• IslamQa - The etiquette of eating, with detailed evidence

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 – Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan
• Week 6 – Dressing Up, Walking
• A Siwaak a Day

This is the continuation of the series, that focuses on implementing sunnah in our lives. I hope everyone had emaan rushed Ramadhan and you were able to apply the things we learned in this series.

Here is the sunnah items, we will be focusing on in this week:

Using Siwak:

• Performing Prayers [Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 13 :: Hadith 12]
• Entering the house [Aaishah was asked what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did when he first came home. She said, “When he entered his house, the first thing he would do was to use the siwaak.” (Reported by Muslim, 1/220) ]
• Upon waking up [Bhukari: Book 1 :: Volume 4 :: Hadith 246,  Bhukari: Book 2 :: Volume 21 :: Hadith 237]
• Making Ablution [Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 31 :: Hadith 154]
• When reading Qur’aan and joining gatherings in which Allaah is remembered
• When the smell of one’s mouth changes, whether this is because of eating food with a strong odour, or because of not eating or drinking for a long time, etc

Action Item:

1. Buy Siwak and start using it

References:

• 1000 Sunnah Per Day and Night [View/Download]
• IslamQa
• More than 1000 Sunan for Every Day & Night – Dar us Salam

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 – Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan
• Week 6 – Dressing Up, Walking

Here is the sunnah items, we will be focusing on in this week:

Dressing Up:

• Start wearing the cloth from the right side (right sleeve, right side of the trouser, right sock etc)
• Start wearing the shoe with the right and take off with the left [Bukhari:  Hadith 747]
• Say Bismillah when wearing and taking off clothes
• Make dua when wearing new cloth [Abu Dawood: 4009]
• Make supplication for the person wearing the new cloth

Walking:

• Walk fast (moderate pace)
• Walk with slightly bent forward as if descending from a high place
• While walking up, say “Allahu Akbar” and while coming down say “Subhanallah”

Entering Marketplace:

• Make the supplication

Tip of the Week:

In Ramadhan,with less distractions, shaitan out and good environment, it is an ideal time for developing new habits. Let us try to practice and apply all the sunnahs we have learnt so far in Ramadhan. Start planning now! (like: how many sunnahs are you going to work on each week? what will the process be? etc)

Action Item:

1. It would be great, if anyone can compile a nice and colorful booklet out of all these post. Ideally, it should have all the evidences as well. See the books listed under references for ideas.

Inshallah, next week, we will look at the sunnah of entering the house and eating

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 – Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan

References:

• Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International (download link)
• Miat Sunnah Thaabitah (100 Established Authentic Sunan)
• 1000 Sunnah Per Day and Night [View/Download]
• Revive a Sunnah Blog

Here is the sunnah items, we will be focusing on in this week:

Making Dua:

• Raise your hands
• Glorify and praise Allah, in the beginning and at the end
• Send salutations on Prophet (May Allah Peace and Blessing be on him) in the beginning and at the end
• Cry while making dua

Adhaan:

• Respond to it (see the first dua here)
• Make salutation on the prophet (May Allah Peace and Blessing be on him)
• Make dua (last one on this page)

Breakfast:

• Mix honey in water and drink it
• Eat 7 Ajwa Dates

Tip of the Week:

But things like this and this one for your kids

Action Item:

1. Memorize the duas from the sunnah: Mashary Qunoot Dua, Alhuda Masnoon Duas Collection, Saad al Ghamdi Qunoot Dua – Learn some ways to praise and glorify Allah in the duas

Inshallah, next week, we will look at the sunnah on wearing clothes and going out of the house

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah

References:

Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International (download link)

After the fard salahs:

• After slautation, say Allahu Akbar in loud voice
• Say “Astagfirullah” thrice in low voice
• Recite “Ayat Kursi”
• Read the morning and evening supplications after farjar and asar prayers (Another Link)
• Recite other Adhkars and Supplications
• Pray the two rakahs of ishraq after the fajar prayer (The Messenger of Allah [SAWS] said, “Whoever prays the dawn prayer (fajr) in a group and then sits and does dhikr until the sun rises, then prays two rakas, shall have the like of the reward of a hajj and an umra.”)

Tip of the Week:

Get some nice colorful cards/sticky notes. Put the relevant information and stick them in various places in the house as reminders.  For example, summarize the sunnahs about using the washroom that we have learnt in previous weeks, put it on the card and stick it on the washroom mirror or door.

Action Item:

1. Share this post with 5 other people and get the ajar. Post on facebook, twitter, email etc

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution

References:

Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International

On Coming Out of Washroom:

• Exit with Right Foot first
• Say the dua

Making Ablution:

• Say Bismillah
• Do the Mishwaak
• Run water through the fingers
• Put water in the nose
• Say the Sahada after finishing
• Say the dua
• Pray 2 rakahs of tayatul whudoo

Tip of the Week:

Imagination is a powerful tool for motivation. Close your eyes, envision yourself at the end of this series. Things you learned in this series have now become your second nature. Imagine yourself practicing these!

Action Item:

1. Make a sincere dua now and ask Allah to help you this week in applying the Sunnah

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom

References:

Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International

Entering the Washroom:

• Enter with slippers/shoes
• Make the dua
• Enter with Left foot

After Entering the Washroom:

• Remove your clothes(trouser, pants) after sitting down or when near to the floor
• Use left hand for washing private part
• Avoid the urine drops
• After finishing, sit for a while and then stand up

Tip of the Week:

Try to get someone else involved with you (friend, family member etc), so that you can remind, compete and check up on each other.  It’s easy for shaitan to distract us when we are working alone but harder when we work as group.

Action Item:

1. Make a plan on how will you implement and work on this week’s sunnah item.

References:

Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International

Previous Post in this Series:

• Week 1

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ

حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّـهَ وَ

وَذَكَرَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا

Translation:
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.[Surah Al-Ahzab, verses 21]

The oxford dictionary defines the word ‘role model‘ as “A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated.” Indeed, our beloved prophet, has left us with the best examples, to be emulated. Take any part of your life, be it be eating, drinking, walking, sleeping, and you will find the best example in the life of our Prophet. He remembered Allah all the time.
It is by practicing and applying these sunnahs in our lives, that we can be successful in this life and the next. Amazingly, scientific research is now showing us the benefit and wisdom behind some of the acts of the prophet. For example, this article and this one discuss various scientific benefits of Prophet’s sleeping habits.  This article, benefits of sunnah way of drinking water in the light of medical science.

Inshallah, we would be starting the blog series, where we will gradually learn and implement the sunnah of our beloved Prophet (SAW).

Here are the few tips that will help us in this journey:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice.  Practice and apply these things daily so that they become part of our nature and habit. Like anything in life, for first few times, you have to consciously work hard on carrying out the exact steps, but after a while it all becomes automatic. I still remember my first few driving lessons. In the beginning, I had to think about when to apply brakes, check blind spot, mirrors etc, but then with practice, all of this became automatic.

2. Take small steps at a time, instead of trying to do it all. As our beloved prophet informed us that the the acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small.

3. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. We need to have a plan on how will we practice each sunnah: which part of the day, how many times a day, which time etc. For instance, “I will practice the sunnah of eating everyday at dinner”

Inshallah, in this series, we will cover the following things from Sunnah (total 20! ):

Waking up, entering washroom, after entering the washroom, exiting from the washroom, while making whudoo, during the adhaan, after the prayers, while making dua, during breakfast, wearing clothes, leaving for work, walking, entering the market place, entering home, eating, drinking, before sleeping, during sleep, giving salutation, in hardship and sickness, dealing with important matters.

Are you excited? I am! As you can see from the list above, our beloved Prophet (May Allahs peace and blessing be upon him) left us with guidance in all aspects of our life.

Inshallah, each week we will focus on 2 – 3 categories, so that within few months, we will be able to truly bring sunnah into our lives.

Here is the first one for this week:

On Waking Up:

• Wipe your face and eyes with hands
• Make dua
• Blow your nose thrice
• Do a good Miswaak

Action Item:

1. Make a plan on how will you implement and work on this week sunnah item.

References:

Booklet: Sunnah Checklist – published by Alhuda International

Series Articles Links:

• Week 1 - On Waking Up
• Week2 – Entering and After Entering the Washroom
• Week3 – On Coming out of Washroom and Making Ablution
• Week4 – Duas after the Salah
• Week 5 – Making dua, Having breakfast and Responding to Adhan