5 Forgotten Sunnahs Every Muslim Should Revive

When we think about the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, many of us picture the big things such as fasting, salah, and sadaqah. But what about the little daily habits? The ones that we overlook as they seem almost too small to matter. They are the ones that bring barakah into our daily lives and make us remember our Lord even in the simplest actions. Reviving these little things will also be a reminder for you that you are living with the Messenger ﷺ as your example.

We have compiled a non-comprehensive list of these small, forgotten Sunnahs that each and every Muslim should try to implement into their daily life, God willing.

١ Sitting to Drink:

The Prophet ﷺ would often sit when drinking water.

Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that he forbade drinking while standing (Sahih Muslim: 5020). Yet on rare occasions, he drank standing, such as when drinking Zamzam (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5617).

٢ Using the Siwak Before Salah:

It was reported by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"If it were not that I would cause hardship for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwak for every prayer" (Sahih al-Bukhari: 887).

Think about it... Five times a day, we are encouraged to purify our mouths before we stand in front of Allah. This isn't just about hygiene, it is also a way of respecting Allah, and the Salah itself.

٣ Sleeping On the Right Side:

Al-Bara bin ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) said that the Prophet ﷺ told me:

"When you want to sleep, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lay on your right side and say: 'Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadtu 'amri ilaika wa alja’tu dhahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabik al-ladhi anzalta wa binabiyyika al-ladhi arsalta’..." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6311).

So, make wudhu before sleeping and lay on your right side. Ensure to avoid sleeping on the stomach, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ nudged Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) and told him not to sleep this way (Sunan Ibn Majah: 3724).

٤ Sitting Between the Two Sujoods:

The Prophet ﷺ used to recite the following between the two prostrations during salah:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي

'Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wajburni, wahdini, warzuqni'

'O Allah! Pardon me, have mercy on me, help me, guide me, and grant me sustenance.'

(Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 284)

٥ Replying to The Adhan:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"When you hear the mu'adhin's call (to prayer), reply by repeating what the mu'adhin says, then send salutations upon me." (Sahih Muslim: 383).

Revive this Sunnah: quietly repeat the words of the adhan, then send your salawat.

The Legacy of the Murabit:

The muslim man is not distracted by the dunya. He holds fast to the Sunnah in the small and the great, because he is aware that true strength is built in discipline, and victory is written for the one who pleases Allah. Reviving even the small and forgotten Sunnahs is a reminder that our path is one of loyalty to Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the covenant we carry as men of this Ummah.

Revive the Legacy. Live the Sunnah.

-Founder