Practicing the Sunnah: A Journey of Knowledge and Consciousness
I welcome you with the best of greetings—As-Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
It’s been a while since we last embarked on a journey here in my compendium. Life has its way of keeping us all busy, right? But remember, Aleem’s Compendium is a space where faith, design, parenting, and life experiences converge for reflection and counsel. If this is your first time here, take a moment to browse through previous posts—you just might find something insightful.
Intro
The Sunnah is vast yet easy to practice—as Allah says:
“…and [He] has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:78)
Despite this, many people merely claim the Sunnah, admiring it without true commitment—much like the legendary Layla, whom countless admirers profess to love superficially. In reality, embracing the Sunnah is not complex; it involves acquiring the right knowledge and integrating it into your daily life.
This series aims to help you understand the essence of the Sunnah and discover simple, practical ways to incorporate it into your everyday routine. I promise it won’t be overwhelming; it’s a straightforward, heart-to-heart approach. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments—your feedback is invaluable as we embark on this journey together.
So, let’s ride in!
Practising the Sunnah is all about knowledge. When that knowledge is immediately put into action, it gives rise to consciousness and self-awareness. Consider the simple act of putting on your shoes: by placing your right shoe before the left following a hadith, you embody intentionality. You could easily wear them in any order—no one is watching—but your deep love for the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, as beautifully guided by Allah in the Qur’an, drives you to follow even the subtlest practices.
This conscious approach extends to other acts of worship. The care you take in reciting the Adhkar before entering the Masjid, ensuring that your right foot leads your steps in, and your mindful remembrance when leaving with your left foot leads your steps out—all reflect the spirit of a truly conscious believer. These deliberate actions, performed day in and day out despite the distractions of our modern era, are likely what amazed the Prophet ﷺ when he thought of his Ummah over 1,400 years ago. He envisioned believers who maintain their devotion with deep conviction and sincere love, even without seeing him.
The Prophet ﷺ expressed his longing by saying:
…"Would that I had seen our brothers."
They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, are we not your brothers?"
He replied, "You are my Companions. My brothers are those who have not come yet. And I will reach the Hawd before you."
They then inquired, "O Messenger of Allah, how will you know those of your Ummah who come after you?"
He answered, "Do you not think that if a man has a horse with a white blaze and white feet among horses that are entirely black, he will recognize his own horse?"
They said, "Of course. He said: "They will come on the Day of Resurrection with glittering white faces and glittering white hands and feet because of Wudu', and I will reach the Hawd before them."— Sunan an-Nasa'i 150 (Grade: Sahih, Darussalam)
This profound analogy reminds us that our consistent, mindful actions—no matter how small—will distinguish us on the Day of Resurrection, just as one recognizes a horse by its unique mark.
True love for the Prophet ﷺ is not merely declared—it is demonstrated through consistent, sincere actions. Sincerity is a great trust (amanah) that not everyone can uphold. It requires deliberate, disciplined practice, not just emotional affection.
By Allah’s grace and through the guidance of my teachers and personal study, I have learned that practising the Sunnah is fundamentally about intentionality and awareness. Take it easy on yourself—step by step, bit by bit. Simplicity and consistency are the goals. When exhaustion sets in, pause, rejuvenate, and then resume. Remember the hadith narrated by ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are few.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
We will continue exploring the depth of this hadith in our next series, In Sha Allah.
May Allah ease our affairs, strengthen our resolve, and make us true students of knowledge. Aameen.
A Glimpse Beyond
Through experience, interpersonal relationships, and the wealth of knowledge gained from scholars and their books—by the grace of Allah—one comes to realize that our understanding of issues, statements, and conversations varies according to the light Allah has placed in our hearts. True comprehension is only attained through our consciousness of Him.
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌۭ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ ءَاذَانٌۭ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ وَلَـٰكِن تَعْمَى ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِى فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ
"Have they not traveled throughout the land so that they may have hearts with which to reason or ears with which to hear? Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts within the chests that grow blind." Surah Al-Hajj (22:46)
We ask Allah to preserve our hearts for deeper understanding and uplifting guidance, and we seek His protection from all forms of sin—both apparent and hidden. Aameen.
✍️ Abu Mu'aadh AbdulAleem Akinyoola