“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are small.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6464)

As Ramadan draws to its close, Muslims across the globe find themselves feeling closer to their faith and the Almighty. After a month of fasting, praying, and asking for forgiveness, there’s a sense of calm in their souls. It’s a time when many feel more connected to their faith and have built routines centered around worship and remembrance.

Most of us intend to continue these routines of adhkar, dhikr, and salah even after Ramadan. However, as the hustle and bustle of daily life take over, it becomes difficult to maintain the same level of dedication. Despite our best efforts, we often find ourselves struggling to devote as much time as we would like, causing us to gradually lose the rhythm we had built during Ramadan. This usually happens not because of a lack of intent but because we don’t have a clear routine to follow.

This blog covers this gap by helping you create your own everyday plan that you can easily follow based on what works best for you. We’ll break down these lasting habits by degrees of importance — starting with fard (obligatory acts) and then moving on to sunnah practices that will help us maintain our spiritual connection with the Almighty. At the end of this blog, we’ll also take a look at some easy-to-follow and practical tips that will help you stay consistent with your goals while also enhancing your daily lifestyle.

Practicing Fard: Starting with the Foundations

Salah with Khushu and Punctuality

Salah forms the basis of our relationship with the almighty and is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has always emphasized the importance of salah.

  'The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his Salah. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound, and if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.' (Tirmidhi 413)

During Ramadan, many of us do our best to pray on time and even add Taraweeh to our routine. But once Ramadan is over, it can be hard to keep up this discipline. Here’s how you should be working on prioritizing your salah:

●      Keep Salah at the Top of Your Schedule: Make Salah a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Set alarms or reminders for each prayer and aim to pray all five salahs every day. You can download apps that send you reminders of each salah time as per your location to help you keep track easily. You can also confirm timings from a mosque nearby. If possible, practice salah at the mosque itself.

●      Don’t Miss Out on Asr and Fajr: Fajr and Asr are two prayers that many of us often miss — Fajr because it’s early in the morning and Asr because we’re usually caught up with work or other commitments. But it’s essential to take just 10 minutes out of your day to ensure you don’t miss them, as the rewards are abundant, with a promise of paradise. In fact, the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever prays the two cool prayers (Asr and Fajr) will enter Paradise.” (Bukhari 574)

●      Work on Khushu: To develop better focus in Salah, try praying in a quiet space where distractions are minimal. Clear your mind and concentrate all your attention on your prayer, reminding yourself that you are standing before Allah. 

●      Add Sunnah and Nafl: Begin by consistently praying the five daily fard salah. Once that becomes a regular habit, gradually add sunnah and nafl prayers to your routine. Start with small, manageable steps — like the 2 rakats before Fajr, which the Prophet (PBUH) said are better than the world and everything in it, and the 2 rakats after Maghrib.

Practicing Regular Zakat and Sadaqah

Zakat is a religious obligation requiring Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to charity to those in need. It forms one of the five pillars of Islam and is a mandatory act of charity for Muslims who possess wealth above the minimum threshold known as Nisab. 

The standard Zakat rate is 2.5% of one’s eligible wealth, which includes cash, gold, silver, savings, and business assets held for a lunar year.

Zakat is a means of purification and spiritual growth and a way to care for those in need, and it is a way for Muslims to fulfil their obligation to Allah (SWT)

Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity. It is a form of worship that is done purely for the sake of the divine. Sadaqah is not necessarily about giving money; any act of kindness, like helping neighbors, aiding the lost, or simply smiling at someone, is Sadaqah. 

Sunnah: Going Beyond the Basics

A. Surahs and Duas for Daily Protection

Daily recitation of particular surahs and duas offers protection and blessings while enhancing your relationship with Allah. Including these spiritual practices into your daily life allows for continuous spiritual guidance while building inner strength.

●      Surah Al-Waqiah is recommended after Maghrib. This practice guards against monetary challenges while drawing divine sustenance and establishing financial stability through heavenly support.

●      Surah Al-Mulk, recited after Isha, offers nighttime protection from spiritual harm while providing peace and security during sleep.

●      The repeated recitation of Ayat-ul-Kursi following each fard salah maintains enduring divine protection. Through this practice, spiritual awareness is enhanced while protection from harm is maintained during prayer intervals.

●       The weekly recitation of Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays delivers guidance and protection from evil forces while strengthening and rejuvenating the believer's faith.

The practice of morning and evening adhkar strengthens spiritual protection. It shields from hidden adversities while calling upon Allah's mercy and blessings to cover each day.

B. Regular Fasting Apart from Ramadan

Fasting regularly is a highly recommended practice in Islam to keep up year-round. This habit helps you maintain a self-disciplined routine and is rewarded with immense blessings. Here are some dates of fasting that you should fast on: 

●       Mondays and Thursdays: The Prophet (ﷺ) fasted regularly on these days because they’re when our deeds are said to be presented to Allah, making it an ideal time to fast and seek extra blessings as well as forgiveness. Monday was also the day he was born and when he received his first revelation, so it carries a special significance in his life. Thursdays are a good time to pause and reflect as the week winds down, making it easier to stay consistent. It’s a practical way to build discipline and stay connected, and you can ease into it by planning your week to include those fasts.

●      White Days, or Ayyam Al-Bid: This fasting is done on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month. They’re called “white days” because the moon is at its fullest and brightest on those nights, making the sky glow. The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged fasting on these days, too. It’s a beautiful practice that gives you a monthly checkpoint to refocus spiritually.

 If you’re new to this, a good approach is to start with just one fast a week—maybe a Monday or one of the white days—and gradually work your way up to twice a week as it feels right. Over time, it becomes a natural part of your schedule.

Everyday Sunnahs for Increased Barakah

Sunnah practices guide everyday actions and help maintain a strong connection with Allah. They influence everything from personal hygiene and eating habits to how we treat others. These small, regular actions bring blessings, protect from harm, and keep us mindful of Allah. Following these habits also builds good character, improves relationships, and adds meaning to daily life.

A. Sleeping with Wudu and Reciting Duas
 The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged sleeping in a state of wudu, as those who do so have angels seeking forgiveness for them throughout the night.

Sunnah: Perform wudu before going to bed and recite the prescribed duas, such as Ayat-ul-Kursi and Surah Al-Ikhlas.

“When you go to bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 247)

B. Eating with the Right Hand and Saying Bismillah
 The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to eat with the right hand and begin by mentioning the name of Allah.

Sunnah: Say “Bismillah” before eating and conclude with “Alhamdulillah.”

C. Entering and Exiting with the Right/Left Foot
Entering with the right foot invites blessings and follows the sunnah, while leaving with the left foot shows respect when stepping out of a blessed place.

Entering: Step into the mosque or home with the right foot and say “Bismillah.”
 Exiting: Leave the bathroom or mosque with the left foot and seek forgiveness.

D. Using Miswak for Oral Hygiene
 The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized using miswak to maintain oral cleanliness.  We are encouraged to use the miswak before every prayer, but it is not made obligatory. Using it at least twice a day helps maintain oral hygiene.

Were it not that it would be difficult for my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use the miswak before every prayer.”

— (Sahih al-Bukhari, 887; Sahih Muslim, 252)

E. Greeting with Salam and Smiling
Greeting others with salam and sharing a smile is a simple sunnah that spreads peace while also serving as Sadaqah Jariyah—ongoing charity that continues to earn rewards even after the act is done.

Sunnah: Greet others by saying “As-salamu alaykum” and smile often.

“Do not consider any act of goodness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” (Sahih Muslim, 2626)

Dressing with Modesty: A Sign of Faith

Clothing in Islam reflects devotion to Allah and a commitment to modesty. Post-Ramadan is an ideal time to make the changes needed in your wardrobe to make it more attuned with Islamic values.

Men’s Attire

 Men are encouraged to dress simply and humbly, reflecting humility.

●      White Kurta or Thobe: The Prophet (ﷺ) favored white clothing and encouraged men to wear it.

●      Avoiding Gold Jewelry: Gold is prohibited for men in Islam, making it important to choose permissible alternatives.

Women’s Attire

Islam emphasizes that a woman’s clothing should reflect modesty and devotion to Allah.

●      Elegant Yet Modest Hijabs: Choose hijabs that meet Islamic guidelines while allowing for personal style. The hijab should fully cover the hair, neck, and chest without being transparent or tight. It should not attract unnecessary attention or resemble styles associated with non-Islamic cultures.

●      Loose and Modest Outfits: Focus on loose-fitting clothing that conceals the body appropriately. Outfits should cover the entire body except for the face and hands, avoiding tight or see-through fabrics.

Nabia offers a wide range of hijabs and modest attire that are comfortable and affordable, no matter the occasion.

Tips for Maintaining The Habits

●      Start Small: Don’t try to do everything at once. Pick one or two habits to focus on so it feels easier to manage.

●      Add to Your Routine: Fit new habits into things you already do. You could recite the Quran after Fajr or do dhikr while commuting.

●      Keep Track: Jot down your progress in a journal or use a habit-tracking app. It helps you stay motivated and see how far you’ve come.

●      Celebrate the Little Wins: Every step counts. Acknowledge even the small achievements to stay encouraged.

Conclusion

Maintaining the habits built during Ramadan starts with sincere intentions and asking Allah for help. Even small, consistent efforts bring us closer to Him and keep our hearts connected. As Allah reminds us:

“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)

May Allah make it easy for us to carry these habits forward and keep them as part of our lives.