Islamic habits: 41 good deeds to build, one day at a time
The Prophet ﷺ said that the most beloved deeds to Allah are the ones done consistently, even if they are small. These guides take one good habit at a time: why it matters, what the Quran and Sunnah say about it, and how to make it part of your day.
The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are small.
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, narrated by Aisha
How to use these guides
- Pick one or two habits, not ten. Small and daily beats big and rare.
- Attach the new habit to something you already do, such as a prayer, a meal or going to bed.
- Track it. Ticking off a habit every day and seeing a streak keeps you going on the days motivation is low.
- When one habit feels natural, add the next.
Prayer
Wake up for FajrHow to wake up for Fajr every day: sleep earlier, set the right alarm, use the Sunnah before sleep and track your streak.
Pray on timeStruggling to pray on time? Why praying at the start of the time is the most beloved deed to Allah, and practical steps to never miss a salah again.
TahajjudTahajjud (night prayer): when it is, how many rakats, how to pray it and its virtues from the Quran and hadith, plus tips to make it a regular habit.
Witr prayerWitr prayer explained: its time, how many rakats, how to pray it, dua qunoot and why the Prophet ﷺ never left it, even when travelling.
Duha prayerSalat ad-Duha, the forenoon prayer: when to pray it, how many rakats and why two rakats count as charity for every joint of your body.
12 Sunnah rakatsThe Sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers (as-sunan ar-rawatib): which ones, how many rakats, and the promise of a house in Paradise.
Pray in congregationWhy praying in congregation (jamaah) is 27 times better than praying alone, the reward of walking to the mosque, and how to make it a regular habit.
Focus in prayerStruggling to concentrate in prayer? What khushu means and 10 practical tips from the Quran and Sunnah to focus in salah.
Dhikr after salahThe Sunnah dhikr after every prayer: SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33, Allahu Akbar 33 and la ilaha illallah, plus Ayatul Kursi.
Quran
Read Quran dailyHow to make reading the Quran a daily habit: start with one page, attach it to a prayer, track your streak.
Memorize QuranA practical plan to memorize the Quran as an adult: start with short surahs, review daily, use audio, and keep a steady pace.
Al-Kahf on FridayWhy Muslims read Surah al-Kahf every Friday, the hadith about the light between two Fridays and protection from the Dajjal, and how to never miss it.
Al-Mulk before sleepWhy the Prophet ﷺ read Surah al-Mulk every night before sleeping, its virtue as an intercessor and protection, and how to make it a nightly habit.
Monthly khatmaA simple plan to complete the whole Quran in 30 days: one juz a day, split over the five prayers.
Reflect on the QuranTadabbur means reflecting on the Quran.
Learn Quranic ArabicLearn to understand the Quran in Arabic, 15 minutes a day: the most common words, simple grammar and learning through your daily prayers.
Dhikr and dua
Morning and evening athkarThe morning and evening adhkar protect you through the day and night.
IstighfarThe benefits of istighfar (seeking forgiveness) from the Quran and Sunnah, Sayyid al-Istighfar, and how to say Astaghfirullah 100 times a day as a habit.
Salawat on the Prophet ﷺSending blessings (salawat, durood) on the Prophet ﷺ: the reward of ten blessings from Allah, the best wording, and how to make it a daily habit, especially on Friday.
SubhanAllah wa bihamdihiSubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi: the two light words that are heavy on the scale, and saying it 100 times a day for sins to be forgiven even if like the foam of the sea.
Make dua dailyDua is worship.
Sunnah before sleepThe Sunnah before sleep: wudu, lying on the right side, Ayatul Kursi, the three Quls, tasbih 33-33-34 and the dua before sleeping.
Gratitude (shukr)Shukr, gratitude to Allah: what the Quran says about being grateful, the Sunnah of saying Alhamdulillah, and a daily gratitude habit for Muslims.
Fasting and charity
Fast Mondays and ThursdaysWhy the Prophet ﷺ fasted on Mondays and Thursdays, how deeds are presented to Allah on these days, and tips to make voluntary fasting a weekly habit.
The white daysFasting the white days, the 13th, 14th and 15th of every Islamic month, is like fasting the whole year.
Six days of ShawwalThe six days of Shawwal after Ramadan: the hadith, whether they must be consecutive, making up Ramadan first, and tips to complete them.
Arafah and AshuraFasting the Day of Arafah expiates two years of sins and Ashura one year.
Daily sadaqahWhy giving a little charity every day matters in Islam, the many forms of sadaqah (even a smile), and how to build a daily sadaqah habit.
Character
Kindness to parentsWhat the Quran and Sunnah say about honouring parents, the dua for parents, and small daily habits of birr al-walidayn, including for parents who have passed away.
Control angerThe Prophet's ﷺ advice on anger: seek refuge in Allah, stay silent, change your position, make wudu.
Stop backbitingWhat backbiting (gheebah) is in Islam, why the Quran compares it to eating a dead brother's flesh, and practical habits to guard your tongue.
Lower your gazeWhat the Quran says about lowering the gaze, the first and second look, and practical habits for guarding your eyes online and offline.
Good characterNothing is heavier on the scale than good character.
Keep family tiesMaintaining family ties (silat ar-rahim) increases provision and life.
Patience (sabr)Sabr, patience in Islam: what the Quran promises the patient, the hadiths on hardship, and practical ways to grow in patience every day.
Daily Sunnah
Wake up earlyWhy the early morning is blessed in Islam, the Prophet's ﷺ routine around sleep, and a practical plan to become a morning person.
Sunnah of eatingThe Sunnah of eating and drinking: Bismillah, right hand, eating what is in front of you, one third rule, Alhamdulillah, and the duas before and after eating.
Sunnah of FridayThe Sunnahs of Friday: ghusl, perfume, going early to Jumuah, Surah al-Kahf, salawat on the Prophet ﷺ and the hour when dua is answered.
Use miswakMiswak (siwak) in the Sunnah: why the Prophet ﷺ used it so often, when to use it (before prayer, waking up, entering the house) and how.
Seek knowledge dailySeeking knowledge is a path to Paradise.
Break a bad habitHow to quit a bad habit as a Muslim: sincere repentance, replacing the habit with a good one, avoiding triggers and tracking your progress.
Track your habits in Hadaff
Add any habit to your Hadaff habit tracker, tick it off each day and watch your streak grow. Prayer times with athan reminders, athkar with a counter and a khatma plan are built in. Free, no ads, no ad tracking.