Secrets; I Tried To Keep Us Together, You Were Busy Keeping Secrets

A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman - I

Normal and everyday activities become acts of worship if they are done for the sake of pleasing Allah. The regular and consistent deeds are the best among these deeds. 'Aa'ishah said that Allah's Messenger said: "The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This means that we do not need to do anything spectacular in our day to obtain rewards from Allah, but we should establish some type of routine that incorporates not only the prayer but also reciting the Quran, Du'aa' (supplication), Thikr (mention of Allah), and other good deeds. This will increase the serenity, patience, and enthusiasm of the believer.

Early morning

This article is the first in a series aimed at bringing the spiritual side in the everyday life of a married Muslim woman:

Wake at night to perform Tahajjud. The Prophet said: "The best (most rewarding prayer after the obligatory prayer is Tahajjud, night prayer." [Ahmad and Muslim] It is best to do this toward the last third of the night as the Prophet said: "Allaah descends every night in the last third of the night [in a way that befits His majesty] and says: Is there anyone invoking Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone asking of Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My Forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] It is even better if the husband and wife perform the Tahajjud together as the Prophet said: "When a man wakes his wife up at night and they perform two Rak'ah together, they are written down among the men and women who remember Allah." [Abu Daawood] After this prayer, one can return to bed until the Fajr prayer.

Upon awakening in the morning, say this Du'aa': "Al-Hamdu Lillaah, praise be to Allah who brought me to life after giving me death, and to Him is the resurrection." [Al-Bukhari] One should also greet the other members of the household who are awake. The Prophet said: "O my son (to Anas), when you enter to where your family is, say Salaam. It is a blessing on you and on the people of your house." [At-Tirmithi]

When getting dressed, say this Du'aa': "AI-Hamdu Lillaah, praise be to Allah, who clothed me with this, and who provided me with it, without any power or might of mine." [Abu Daawood]

Make Wudu or Ghusl (except for menstruating or postnatal women):

Du'aa' when entering the bathroom: "In the name of Allah, O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female devils." [Abu Daawood]

Be sure to use the left hand in the bathroom: "'Aa'ishah said that the right hand was used by Allah's Messenger for his ablution and for taking food, and his left hand was used in the toilet and the like." [Abu Daawood]

Say "Bismillaah" and make Wudu (ablution). It is also encouraged to use the Miswak or toothbrush, although it is not an obligatory aspect of Wudu. The Prophet said: "If I had not found it difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Miswak for every prayer." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Du'aa' after finishing Wudu: "I testify that there is no god but Allah, Alone, having no partner; and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, O Allah, make me of those who continually repent and purify themselves." [At-Tirmithi]