Voice of British Muslim Women

Unaizah Ahmad, Chester

A quick search online reveals a lengthy list of productivity tips and several videos on how to be more productive. Some might promise the ‘recipe for success,’ others would claim there isn’t one. Some say procrastination is the culprit while others say procrastination might actually be a good thing. As this list of productivity tips gets longer and complex, the motivation to put them into practice diminishes.

Like other students, I have also found myself going down this rabbit hole of productivity tips. While these lists vary, I noticed a common set of behaviours in them: time management, consistency, self-discipline, reflection/meditation, and patience.

As an Ahmadi Muslim, naturally, I looked for the guidance of His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) on the matter. In Huzoor’s sermons, addresses, and meetings with students, I noticed there was a recurring theme – a constant guidance to focus on our daily Prayers, as, that if they were safeguarded, all else will fall in place. As I was looking for an effective routine, I came across Huzoor’s guidance to plan the day around daily Prayers. This was it, a light bulb moment for me. It was not trying to fit Prayers into the day but planning the day around Prayers. That was the blueprint for a productive routine Islam had laid out before us several centuries ago.

Islam claims that safeguarding Prayers leads to the path of prosperity. Of course, the definition of success may vary for each individual, but in Islam true and ultimate success is believed to be attaining the pleasure of God. Therefore, I wondered that surely this success must extend beyond only spiritual benefits since the physical, mental, and spiritual states are all interconnected. Upon reflection, it becomes clear that the five daily Prayers which become obligatory from the age of ten, seek to inculcate in Muslims, the behaviours attributed with success and productivity from a young age.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

‘…verily Prayer is enjoined on the believers to be performed at fixed hours.’ (4:104)

From this verse, it is evident that Islam fosters the habit of timeliness in children from an early age, and this habit translates into other aspects of life as well.

Another important lesson is that of consistency and self-discipline. Those whose Prayers are accepted in the sight of God, as stated in the Holy Quran, are those “…who are constant in their Prayer” (70:24) and “…who are strict in the observance of their Prayers.” (23:10)

As humans, we are quick to find excuses to avoid doing tasks, but in Islam, the daily Prayers [salat] are a continuous act which cannot be missed under any circumstances*. His Holiness Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad, (second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) sheds light on this aspect:

“The meaning of iqamatus-salat is to observe prayer regularly because the meaning of Qama ‘alal amri means to remain constant in something. Therefore, the meaning of yuqimunas-salat would be that ‘they do not desist in offering their prayers.’ A prayer wherein there is a discontinuation is not considered true prayer in Islam, because prayer is not of temporary deeds, rather, it is considered a complete deed if there is no cessation from the first prayer after repentance or after reaching an age of maturity, until the last prayer before one’s demise.”1

The five daily Prayers teach a lesson on consistency, a reminder that rainy weather, shorter days of winter, or tiredness should not deter us from performing our duties. Islam challenges excuses by providing solutions. If water is not available for ablution, Prayer can be offered after Tyammum (dry ablution). If one cannot stand due to sickness, Prayer can be offered while sitting or lying down. A practical lesson on ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’

Having a positive outlook on life, keeping the purpose in sight, and meditating are also cited as behaviours which promote productivity. Prayers are an opportunity to take a break from the world, to reflect, to seek help at the threshold of God Almighty. They also help bring the purpose of life in sight and help align practices with this purpose, which according to Islam is discharging the rights of God and rights of His creation.

Of course, success does not come overnight. A motivating reminder in the Holy Qur’an is:

“And seek help with patience and Prayer; and this indeed is hard except for the humble in spirit” (2:46)

Hence, humility is a fundamental attribute to success as it is not easy to persevere with patience and prayer if one lacks humility. The performing of Prayer itself instils humility in a person.

Finally, what is prayer? In the words of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him), “It is to present one’s humility and supplications and weaknesses before God and to desire the fulfilment of needs from Him…”1.

‘Come to Prayer, Come to success’ – The six words of Adhan* tell of the tried and tested recipe for success. This is the path trodden on by Prophets, Saints, and in the present age the Caliphs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community through whose leadership, the community – now expanding over 200 countries and millions of followers – has gone from success to success. So while we look for ways to be successful in our individual journeys, let us try this recipe too.

1. https://www.alhakam.org/iqamatus-salat-observance-of-prayer
2. *Muslim women are exempted from offering daily Prayers during period of menstruation and bleeding after childbirth.
3. *Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer