Starting your day with the Sunnah, the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is a beautiful way to align your heart and actions with Islamic teachings. The morning is a precious time for reflection, connection, and intention, and by following the Prophet’s morning routine, you set a positive tone for the entire day.
1. Express Gratitude as Soon as You Wake Up
The moment you open your eyes, the first thing you should do is thank Allah for another day. One way to do this is to recite the following from the Fortress of the Muslim (Hisn al-Muslim):
Alḥamdu lillāhil-ladhī ‘aḥyānā / Praise is to Allah Who gives us life
ba`da mā ‘amātanā / after He has caused us to die
wa ‘ilayhin-nushūr. / and to Him is the return.
Reference:Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/113; Muslim 4/2083
This small act of gratitude not only acknowledges the blessing of life but also reminds you that each new day is an opportunity to serve Allah.
2. Perform Fajr Prayer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of the Fajr prayer, the dawn prayer, which is a spiritual anchor to begin your day. It’s a time when the world is quiet, and you can focus on your connection with Allah. This prayer sets the foundation for a day filled with blessings.
“‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The two Rak’ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.”
[Muslim]
Another narration goes: “The two Rak’ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are dearer to me than the whole world.”” (Sahih Muslim).
By starting your day with this prayer, you make your relationship with Allah the priority.
3. Make Dua (Supplication) for Guidance and Protection
After Fajr, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would often make dua (supplication) for protection, guidance, and success throughout the day. Saying simple prayers like:
Aṣbaḥnā wa aṣbaḥal-mulku lillāhi Rabbi ‘l-a`lāmīn, Allāhumma innī as’aluka khayra hādha ‘l-yawm:1
Fat’ḥahu wa naṣrahu wa nūrahu, wa barakatahu, wa hudāh, wa a`ūdhu bika min sharri mā fīhi wa sharri mā ba`dah.
We have entered a new day and with it all the dominion which belongs to Allah, Lord of all that exists. O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this day,2
its victory, its help, its light, its blessings, and its guidance. I seek refuge in You from the evil that is in it, and from the evil that follows it.
can help center your intentions and seek Allah’s guidance in every step of the day. There are also specific supplications the Prophet taught, such as the morning supplications that invoke Allah’s protection from harm, evil, and negativity.
4. Begin with Positive Intentions
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the power of intention (niyyah) in all our actions. Starting your day with a clear, positive intention can transform mundane tasks into acts of worship. Whether it’s going to work, studying, or taking care of your family, making the intention to please Allah and seek His reward in everything you do is a practice rooted in Sunnah.
“Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.””
5. Engage in a Moment of Reflection or Quran Recitation
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would begin his day with a brief moment of reflection or recitation from the Qur’an. You don’t need to recite a long portion; even a few verses from Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Ikhlas, or any other Surah can help center your heart and bring peace. This connection with the Qur’an nurtures spiritual growth, and just a few moments of reflection can calm the mind for the day ahead. Allah says,
“Surely this Quran guides to what is most upright, and gives good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a mighty reward.” (Qur’an 17:9)
6. Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Well-being
The Sunnah isn’t limited to worship; the Prophet (peace be upon him) also paid attention to his physical health. He would brush his teeth with a miswak, which he recommended for cleanliness. Incorporating this practice into your morning routine can make you feel refreshed and spiritually clean. Additionally, the Prophet’s emphasis on balance—taking care of your body, mind, and soul—reminds us that true success comes from nurturing all aspects of our being.
7. Smile and Spread Positivity
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known for his cheerful and welcoming demeanor. A smile, even a simple one, is an act of charity and spreads warmth to others. Starting your day with a positive attitude, and a smile to your family, friends, and even strangers, can help create a more harmonious and welcoming environment.
“Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said :
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.””
By incorporating these practices into your morning routine, you align your day with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It’s a reminder that starting the day with intention, gratitude, and connection to Allah can transform the rest of the day, filling it with blessings, peace, and success.
