Sunna: If one wakes up after the time of fajar has started and there is a need to perform bath (ghusul), he should not delay it and hasten up the process so that he is able to perform the morning prayers (salah) with the congregation (jama’t).

(Tirmizi)

Importance of following Sunnah!

Hadhrat Maulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) told us:

“Hadhrat Mujaddid Alif Thani (Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi Naqshbandi, may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Allah initially gave me the outward knowledge of Shariah and made me excel in it. Then I turned towards the inner wisdom Sufiya possess. All praise to Allah, He made me do extremely well in them also. And Allah bestowed all His bounties on me and eventually elevated me to such a high station that our lord, the mercy for the universe Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم)) conferred the royal cloak of honor to me by his very noble hands.

Furthermore, Allah made me move forward additionally to much higher stations to the level that if I speak of them, the scholars of the exoteric Shariah will give a verdict that I am an infidel (kafir) and Sufiya will label me to be a heretic (zindeeq). But how can I deny this reality? It is a fact.

However, after achieving all these exalted stations I make a prayer (dua). Whoever says ameen ((آمین after it, by God’s decree (inshaAllah) he will also receive salvation (magfirah).

The dua is,
O Allah!

Give me the tawfeeq to follow the example of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم)

(Ameen),

O Allah!

Keep me steadfast in following the example of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم) till I die

(Ameen).

This is because, after all this journey I found out that it is due to the following of Sunna of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم), that this was achieved.’

Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him)adds,

Therefore, we should make a solemn determination from today onwards that we are going to perform all the Sunna of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم). Then, inshaAllah, we will experience how contentment, ability to distinguish between good and bad (noor), blessings (barakah) and radiance are instilled in our lives.

I swear by Allah, the delight of life is not achieved by indulging in transgressions and sins. Ask regarding this pleasure from those individuals who have molded their lives in the example of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم). ”

(Islahi-mawaiz 236-7)

Sunna: After stepping out of the lavatory recite this,

غفرانك

الحمْدُ لِلهِ الذِىْ اَذهَبَ عَنى الاذى وَ اعَافانِىْ

(Tirmizi)

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) tells that he was suprised to see out of season gourd (a vegetable) dish on his lunch platter. He inquired from his wife regarding this.

The respected wife of Hakim al-Umma (may Allah have mercy on them) told that she had instructed the servant to search for this vegetable and purchase it as long as it was available in the market. This was because she came to know that our master the holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) liked it.

Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma tells that this answer made him tremble from head to toe. I contemplated that an illiterate house wife has such love of the Prophet’s liking, whereas I as a scholar never thought about it. The impact was tremendous, for the next three days I took account of all my daily activities in minute details. I made an analysis of all my actions which of them I did just as a habit and a normal routine and which ones I did considering them to be Sunna.

I made sure that from now onwards all my actions were completely in accordance with the Sunna.

Sunna: When stepping out of the lavatory put right foot outside first. (Tirmizi)

Sunna: After urination and defecation use clean mud pieces (nowdays toilet paper) to remove all filth contaminating the skin prior to washing it away with water. (Tirmizi, Zarin)

Sunna: Urinate while seated, not in standing position. (Tirmizi)

Sunna: Carefully avoid splashes from urine and other filth while using the lavatory.

(Tirmizi)

Sunna: While cleansing one’s self in lavatory do not touch the private parts with right hand, use left hand instead. (Bukhari & Muslim)

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

 “In our path (tareeq) the goal is achieved comparatively quickly.

The reason being the extraordinary emphasis laid on following the Sunna of Allah’s beloved Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be on him) . This makes the achievement of goal by Divine attraction/pull (jazb) rather than personal effort and toil (sulook ).

As it is said in the holy Quran;
(O Prophet!) Tell (them) that if you want to love Allah , then you should follow me. (By this) Allah will love you and forgive all your sins. Indeed! Allah is all forgiving and merciful. (3:31)”

From: T’aluq ma’Allah

 Sunna: Not talking while using the lavatory, except in emergency situations.

Even remembrance of Allah with the movement of tongue should not be done.

(Mishkat)

Sunna: Neither to face qibla (direction of Holy K’aba) nor to keep one’s back in that direction while using the lavatory. 

(Tirmizi)