The Supreme Court in the USA displays a rendition of Prophet Mohamed (PUBH) holding a Quran.
While we do not create statues and artistic renditions of prophets, this act acknowledges the fact that he (PBUH) is considered to be one of the most influential leaders in history, even by non-Muslims.
His life was recorded in the hadith and is practiced when we strive to do the acts of sunnah, but how well do you really understand his day-to-day life and how it can improve yours?
I see many successful professionals, students, and youth who are reading self-help books or looking at the daily lives of “Fortune from 500 CEO’s” to understand productivity.
This is great, but why not also look at one of the most influential and revered leaders in history?
Yes, we can learn how to lead a productive day in the Prophet’s (PBUH) way.
Morning Routine
It is almost fajr, still dark outside, and the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) is either awake in voluntary prayers or taking a nap after spending much of the night in prayer.
Upon getting up, he used a miswak (like a toothbrush but natural, made from a stick) and would engage in more voluntary prayers, making duaa and spending time with his wife.
Once the call to prayer was heard, he would go to the mosque to lead prayers.
After completing fajr, he often spent time with his congregation having a small discussion. This would continue until the sunrise.
Upon leaving the mosque, he would return home and spend time with his family until he decided to go back to the mosque, pray more, and people knew they could go to him for counseling at this time.
Any of you who have read self-help books or worked with productivity coaches know that? Morning routine is very important; you are setting the tone for your day.
The morning routine of the Prophet (PBUH) encompassed voluntary worship, praying in congregation, interacting with other believers, and time with family.
His initial actions in the morning showcase priorities, faith, and family.
Think about your own morning routine and compare it.
Do you take time for voluntary prayers, Quran, and family, or do you press snooze so many times that you end up rushing (including rushing prayer) and don’t have time to make duaa or dhikr?
Additionally, you should be waking up with a sense of gratitude in the morning, which will impact you psychologically more than you realize.
“Whoever among you wakes up physically healthy, feeling safe and secure within himself, with food for the day, it is as if he acquired the whole world.[Sunan Ibn Majah]
A good starting point is to stop grabbing your phone and checking social media/email immediately upon waking.
Instead, go ahead and grab your phone but open up a Quran app and read the verse of the day.
I personally use Muslim Pro and it has a new verse every day conveniently ready for you.
Sit with your family and interact, don’t just rush out the door to school or work.
Early Daytime Hours
Although some days varied, we have an idea of the typical activities the Prophet (PBUH) engaged in.
After spending time with his family and returning to the mosque, he would see people from near and far lands, new reverts, and discuss any questions people had. We can think of it like an open door policy of the Prophet (PBUH).
We are still in the time-frame of early morning to dhuhr. During those early hours, after receiving people and speaking with them, he would leave the mosque again.
Sometimes he would visit family, such as his daughter Fatima, and he often walked through the market areas.
Then he returns home and helps his wife with housework, sewing shoes, cooking, or milking a sheep. Then he takes a nap until Dhuhr.
Let us recap. It is not even Dhuhr yet, but already he has accomplished praying in congregation, voluntary acts of worship, time with family, counseling people in need, housework, and a nap.
Many of us might not accomplish all of this before Maghrib, let alone before Dhuhr.
You might be wondering how you could accomplish this level of productivity. For one, remove distractions.
If you cannot stop checking Facebook and it drains away your time, set a time limit on your Iphone for social media or set your phone to mute except for calls from important people.
Identify your distractions and time-suckers then reduce them.
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