IslamiCity
Listen PodCasts, Live Quran, Watch Videos @VideoHub
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to assume that our routine prayers, good intentions, and occasional acts of worship are enough to keep us close to Allah.
Yet, sometimes, the smallest habits-actions we take for granted or don't even notice-can quietly distance us from our Creator. Islam teaches us that spiritual success is not only about grand acts of devotion but also about cultivating awareness, discipline, and mindfulness in every aspect of our lives.
Let's reflect on five everyday habits that may be pulling us away from Allah-and how we can bring ourselves back to His light.
Salah is the anchor of a believer's life. The Prophet Muhammad (ď·ş) said:
"The first thing that a servant will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is his prayer. If it is sound, he will be successful and saved; but if it is unsound, he will be a loser and a failure" (Sunan Ibn Majah 1401).
When we delay or rush through our prayers, we miss more than a ritual-we miss an opportunity to purify our hearts and reconnect with Allah. Each prayer is a chance to reset our focus, to humble ourselves, and to remember why we exist: to worship our Creator.
Allah has blessed us with comfort, food, entertainment, and leisure-but excessiveness can distract the heart. The Prophet (ď·ş) warned:
"Beware of excessiveness in religion, for those before you were destroyed by excessiveness in religion" (Sunan Ibn Majah 4243).
Even permissible pleasures, when pursued without balance, can fill the heart with desire and leave little space for reflection, gratitude, and spiritual growth. It's a gentle reminder that moderation is the key to a spiritually healthy life.
The Prophet (ď·ş) said:
"A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends" (Sunan Abu Dawood 4833).
The company we keep shapes our values, our behavior, and even our faith. Negative influences-friends who mock faith, encourage distraction, or belittle morals-can quietly erode our spiritual foundation. Choosing companions who remind us of Allah, encourage good, and inspire reflection is essential for preserving the heart's light.
The Prophet (ď·ş) stated:
"The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the example of the living and the dead" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6407).
Dhikr-simple, consistent remembrance of Allah-is what keeps the heart alive. Without it, we can feel spiritually numb, distracted, or disconnected. Even brief moments of reflection, gratitude, or recitation can revive the soul and maintain a constant awareness of Allah's presence.
The Prophet (ď·ş) advised:
"Remember often the destroyer of pleasures (i.e., death), for it will make you detach from the pleasures of this world" (Sunan Ibn Majah 4262).
Death and the Hereafter are realities that awaken the heart. Reflection on our limited time on this earth encourages us to prioritize actions that earn Allah's pleasure and to let go of trivial distractions. Contemplating mortality is not meant to instill fear, but to provide clarity, humility, and purpose.
These five habits-neglecting Salah, overindulgence, negative companionship, neglecting dhikr, and ignoring reflection on death-are small, everyday actions that can quietly affect our spiritual health.
The beauty of Islam is that it always offers a path back. Every prayer, every act of remembrance, every choice to surround ourselves with good, and every reflection on life and death brings us closer to Allah.
Take a moment today to pause, reflect, and ask Allah to guide your heart, purify your soul, and illuminate your life with His light. Spiritual growth is not about perfection-it's about awareness, reflection, and steady, conscious steps toward Him.
May Allah keep our hearts alive in His remembrance and protect us from what distances us from Him. Ameen.
Seerah: A Living Guide for Humanity
