You pray. You fast. You try your best to be a good Muslim.
But what if I told you that every single day… you are missing rewards without even realizing it?
People cry when they realize how easy these Sunnahs are, and how much reward they carry. These are small habits. 30 seconds. 1 minute. Sometimes just intention.
List of 10 Forgotten Sunnahs We Ignore Every Day
Let’s revive what we quietly abandoned.
1. Using Miswak Before Salah
This is one of the most powerful yet forgotten Sunnahs.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said,
“If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak for every prayer.” – (Sahih al-Bukhari 887, Sahih Muslim 252)
This means it was almost made compulsory.
Why does it matter?
Because it purifies the mouth and pleases Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Siwak cleanses the mouth and pleases the Lord.” – (Sunan an-Nasa’i 5)
You need to:
- Keep a miswak in your bag.
- Use it before the 5 daily prayers.
- Even use it before reciting the Qur’an.
- It takes under 30 seconds.
- One small Sunnah. Massive reward.
2. Sleeping on Your Right Side
How do you sleep?
Scrolling… turning… random positions?
The Prophet ﷺ advised:
“When you go to bed, perform wudu as you do for prayer, then lie down on your right side.” – (Sahih al-Bukhari 247, Sahih Muslim 2710)
This Sunnah impacts your sleep, your akhirah, and your discipline.
You need to:
- Make wudu before sleeping.
- Lie on your right side.
- Recite the sleeping dua – Allahumma Bismika Amutu Wa Ahya.
- If you die that night, you die upon purity.
It’s really ok if you haven’t been doing this. Start tonight.
3. Saying Salam When Entering Your Home
Many of us enter silently.
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, “Dear son, when you enter your house, say As- Salamu ‘Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.” – [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih]
Even if no one is home, you should say:
“Assalamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin.”
Why?
Because angels respond.
You need to:
- Make sure you say Salam every time.
- Say it loudly enough to be heard.
- Teach your children this habit.
- It brings barakah into your home.
4. Smiling as Sadaqah
Many think Sadaqah means money.
But the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Your smile for your brother is charity.” – (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 1956 – Hasan)
One smile. One second. That’s Sadaqah.
I’ve personally seen how a simple smile can completely change someone’s mood. You don’t know what someone is carrying inside.
You need to:
- Smile when greeting others.
- Smile even during stress.
- Make it intentional.
- On the Day of Judgment, small deeds may weigh heavily.
Don’t underestimate this Sunnah.
5. Saying Bismillah Before Everything
Eating. Drinking. Starting work. Driving.
How many times do we forget?
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” – (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376, Sahih Muslim 2022)
Saying “Bismillah” protects from Shaytan.
In another narration:
“When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah at the time of entering it and while eating the food, Satan says (addressing himself: You have no place to spend the night and no evening meal – (Sahih Muslim 2018)
It takes 2 seconds.
You don’t have to make it complicated.
Just say: Bismillah.
6. Praying Two Rak’ah After Wudu
This Sunnah is extremely powerful.
The Prophet ﷺ said to Bilal (RA):
“Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal replied, “I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me.” – (Sahih al-Bukhari 1149, Sahih Muslim 2458)
Imagine that.
Two rak’ah after wudu.
And footsteps in Jannah were heard.
You need to:
- Pray 2 rak’ah after every proper wudu.
- Make it consistent.
- Consistency is what makes small deeds huge.
7. Visiting the Sick
We’ve reduced Islam to phone calls.
But the Prophet ﷺ said:
“He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.” – (Sahih Muslim 2568)
In another Hadith, Allah will say on the Day of Judgment:
“O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? …” – (Sahih Muslim 2569)
You need to:
- Visit for even 10 to 15 minutes.
- Make dua for them.
- Sit with sincerity.
It softens your heart, and heart softness is rare today.
8. Eating Together
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged eating together.
He said:
“Eat together and do not eat separately, for the blessing is in being together.” – (Sunan Ibn Majah 3287 – Hasan)
Barakah increases in unity.
You need to:
- Sit together as a family.
- Avoid phones during meals.
- Start with Bismillah.
I’ve seen families reconnect just by eating together. It’s really ok if your schedule is busy. Even one meal matters.
9. Using the Right Hand for Good Actions
This is a daily Sunnah we overlook.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) loved to start from the right-hand side in his every act, i.e., in wearing shoes, in combing (his hair), and in performing ablution. – (Sahih al-Bukhari 168, Sahih Muslim 268)
You need to:
- Wear shoes starting with the right.
- Enter the masjid with the right foot.
- Eat and drink with the right hand.
These are identity markers of a believer.
Small actions. Big obedience.
10. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi Before Sleeping
If you only revive one Sunnah from this list, make it this.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi at night, a protector from Allah will remain over him and Shaytan will not approach him until morning.” – (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311)
Protection until Fajr. No evil approach.
You need to:
- Memorize it properly.
- Recite before sleeping.
- Teach your children.
This is spiritual security — free of cost.
If you haven’t memorised it yet, don’t worry. You can start by reciting Ayatul Kursi in Roman English until it becomes easy for you.
Related: Learn The Sunnah Before Sleeping {A List Of Hadith’s Included}
Common Mistakes We Make
- Thinking Sunnahs are “optional extras.”
- Waiting to become “perfect” before starting
- Ignoring small deeds
- Not teaching our children daily Sunnahs
- Underestimating consistency
Remember — small, consistent deeds are more beloved to Allah.
Final Thoughts
These 10 forgotten Sunnahs are not difficult.
They don’t require money.
They don’t require status.
They don’t require a degree in knowledge.
They require awareness.
Start with 2 to 3 Sunnahs this week. Don’t overload yourself. Make sure you stay consistent for at least 7 days.
Then add more.
Reviving a Sunnah brings the reward of practicing it — and the reward of everyone who follows you.
Imagine that scale on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah make us among those who revive the Sunnah sincerely.
Aameen.
If this reminded you of something important, share it with someone today.
You may also like reading:
- How to Apply Sunnah in Work: Practical Steps for Daily Barakah
- Types of Sunnah in Islam Explained With Examples {Easy Guide}
- Importance & Benefits of Following Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH)
