Page 20 The Islamic Bulletin Volume XXIV No. 28 You should aim to develop the following 7 Spiritually Productive activities into habits so that you can hopefully continue benefiting from them throughout your life. To develop them as habits is the essence of embarking on your journey towards the love of Allah (SWT) and constantly increasing in your eman, inshaAllah: 1) Pray the Sunnah Prayers: before and/or after Prayer: It’s easier to just pray the obligatory prayers and rush out of the mosque! However, when we realise the rewards we’re missing from not praying these Sunnah prayers we won’t leave them. There’s only ONE way of getting yourself to pray these Sunnah prayers constantly: Get into the habit of praying them! They’ll soon become part and parcel of your Salah and your Salah will feel incomplete without performing these acts. 2) Remembrance of Allah after Salah: Again, it’s easy to rush out after Salah due to our busy lives, though if we are honest, how long does it take to recite the supplications after Salah? (The Answer: 5-7 minutes!). If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, you can go to our website: Enter Here-Prayers, Supplications after obligatory prayers. Nowadays you’ll find pocket notebooks/or phone applications with these supplications. Get into the habit of reciting them daily after each Salah to enrich your Salah experience. 3) Ishraq Prayer (Sunrise prayer): The Prophet SAW has said: Those who perform the Fajr prayer in Jamat (congregation), read the Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) till the sun has completely arisen (length of a spear from the horizon, after 10-20 minutes of sunrise) and read 2 Rakats Nafl (voluntary) prayer, will have the Thawaab (reward) equal to those of Hajj and Umrah. (Tirmizi). Women will derive the same benefits that accrue from prayer performed at the Mosque. 4) Duha Prayer: Here’s a Productive Muslim’s top secret to a productive day: 2 rak’ahs known as the Duha prayer which you may pray at anytime after sunrise till before the sun reaches it’s zenith (around 30 minutes before Dhuhr). The reward of this prayer is similar to giving charity on behalf of every bone in your body, and the energy and buzz you feel during the day is amazing. 5) Night Prayer: Alhamdullilah, during Ramadan we have the wonderful Taraweeh prayers to attend. However, outside of Ramadan there are many opportunities to still obtain the reward of the night prayer. If you’re new to night prayer or you don’t pray it constantly during the year, make sure you try to attend prayers each and every night in congregation at the mosque (particularly brothers), and give yourself a ‘no-excuse’ policy. Develop a habit of praying Tahajjud and continuing to pray them for an entire 30 days; this will set you on better footing to continue with the Night Prayer for the rest of the year inshaAllah. 6) Supplications before you Sleep: You’ve just had a long day and you’re super tired. You climb into bed and you want to hit the sack… but wait! Before you do, can you give yourself just 10 more minutes to recite the supplications before sleeping? That’s all. Try them and find yourself experiencing the most beautiful sleep ever and waking up for Fajr easily, inshaAllah. For more information on waking up for fajr, constantly, everyday, without fail Read How to Wake up for Fajr. 7) Reciting one hour of Quran each day: Notice: I said here recite one hour of Quran each day and not one juz’ or one Surah. The amount of Quran you read is not as important as the quality of your understanding. If you spend one hour reciting one verse but understand it fully, that’s more important and beneficial then reciting lots of Quran at break-neck speed yet not understanding a word. So there you go, 7 spiritually productive habits you can develop throughout the year starting from TODAY! 7 Daily Spiritual Productive Habits to Develop Important Reminder The verses of the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet (S) have been printed for the benefit of our readers. You are asked to ensure their sanctity. Therefore, they should be disposed of in the proper Islamic manner. Abbreviations Used Subhana Wa Ta’ala (SWT) - May Allah (God) be glorified and exalted Sallallahu alayhi wasallam (SAW); (or Alayhi Salam) AS; Peace Be Upon Him PBUH; R.A.; R.A.A. - Allah was pleased with him/her. The Importance of Dhikr Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and the Baker During his old age, Imam Ahmad, a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian, was travelling when he stopped by a town. After salah (prayer), he wanted to stay for the night in the mosque. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people. Failing to recognize Ahmad bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. A baker, whose shop was nearby, watched this scene and took pity on Imam Ahmed. He invited the Imam to stay with him for the night. He watched as the baker mixed and kneaded the dough, tended the fire, and pulled hot loves from the oven, all the while uttering remembrances of Allah and Istighfar (asking for Allah’s forgiveness). In the morning, the Imam eagerly asked his host about the latter’s continual seeking of forgiveness. The baker said it had become like second nature, and Imam Ahmad then asked whether the man had experienced any reward from this practice. The baker answered, “By Allah! No dua I made except that it was answered but one.” When Ibn Hanbal asked what that unanswered prayer was, the baker responded: “To see the famed Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.” At this, tears came to Ibn Hanbal’s eyes and he told the baker, “I am Ahmed ibn Hanbal!” “By Allah! I was brought to your place so that you can have your dua/wish come true.” This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar frequently. Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states: A man complained to Al-Hasan Al-Basri about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.” Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.” Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.” Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.” He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nuh (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)
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