Practical Islam Tip #1: If you have a backyard, install a bird feeder. The Prophet (pbuh) informed us in an authentic narration that there is reward in feeding any animal.

Can you imagine that on the Day of Judgment, birds or squirrels might be the reason for your forgiveness?

Practical Islam Tip #2: Whenever you are outside, make it a point for yourself to always pick up a piece of trash and dispose of it properly. The Prophet (pbuh) informed us in an authentic narration that a man had entered Paradise because he had removed a harmful object from the road.

Can you imagine that on the Day of Judgment a piece of trash might be the reason for your forgiveness?

Practical Islam Tip #3: Before you pray, brush your teeth. In Musnad Imam Ahmad, the Prophet (pbuh) informs us that two units of prayer (rak'ah) preceded by the miswak (cleaning of the teeth) is better than prayer without the miswak by 70 times!


Now imagine the reward if you prayed those two rakahs in congregation (x27) in Masjid al-Haram? The total reward for that would be 189,000,000 times in reward!!!

Practical Islam Tip #4: Even if you are in a state of cleanliness, renew your wudu. The Prophet (pbuh) informed us in Sunan Abi Dawud that whoever perform ablution over an ablution, that individual will get 10 extra hasanat (good deeds).

As you can see, this is practical and easy!

Practical Islam Tip #5: Always repeat after the muezzin cries out the call to prayer. In Sunan an-Nasai, the Prophet (pbuh) informed us that whoever repeats with full conviction after the muezzin, Allah will forgive that individual.

Make sure you go to Jumu'ah on time today, listen to the adhan attentively and repeat after the muezzin hoping for Allah's forgiveness. Also, don't forget to make sincere dua for your brothers and sisters in Syria.

Practical Islam Tip #6: Imagine yourself walking into the masjid for prayer and then you hear "As-Salam Alaykum Warahmatullah...As-Salam Alaykum Warahmatullah!" Oh No! You just remembered that the congregational prayer time moved up today. Grieve not.

In Sunan Abu Dawud, the Prophet (pbuh) teaches us that whosoever makes wudu with the intention of attending congregational prayer and then realizes that he or she missed the prayer, Allah will reward that individual with the full credit of attending salatul jama'ah!

Practical Islam Tip #7: By default, all Muslims should strive to be the best EMS (Eman Maintenance Services) responders for their fellow brothers and sisters. As careful as paramedic EMS responders are when handling an injured individual, we as Eman Maintenance Service responders should be very careful and gentle in equal or greater measure when commanding the good and forbidding the evil.

Practical Islam Tip #8: Do you find yourself constantly reading the last few chapters of the Qur'an in your daily prayers? Although you are closest to Allah in sajdah (prostration), in actuality, Allah loves to see people stand for long periods of time reciting long chapters (Sunan Abi Dawud and Ibn Hiban). Gradually increase your recitation in prayer by reading Ayatul Kursi, the end of Surah al-Baqarah, the first 10 verses of Surah al-Kahf and many more!

Practical Islam Tip #9: In the previous tip, I encouraged you to read in your prayers longer chapters from the Qur'an. However, short Surahs also have much virtue. In Musnad Imam Ahmad, the Prophet (pbuh) informed us that by reading Surah al-Ikhlas 10x an individual will be granted a splendid palace in paradise!

Practical Islam Tip #10: Don't you hate it when your "friend" informs you of the latest gossip he/she heard about you? The first question that pops in your head is, "Why are you telling me this?" Worse, your friend answers with, "I just wanted you to know so you can be careful." Remember to defend your brother and sister from gossip! The Prophet (pbuh) tells us that in doing so, Allah will send an angel to protect you from the fire on the Day of Judgment!

Practical Islam Tip #11: Today's tip number serendipitously resembles the way how you could be standing next to the Prophet (pbuh). He teaches us that whoever is poor with a large family can stand next to the Prophet (pbuh) if he/she [consistently] perfects their prayers and does not backbite (Al-Haythami and Ibu Ya'la).