Often when we try to start a new routine, we experience burnout because we set hefty goals and we can’t keep up with them. Justin Parrott suggests some good small habits to develop in order to build a sustainable worship routine.
Start with small habits
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that verily the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are constant even if they are small. It is these small good habits that build up over time. We do not belittle the small habits because it is how you start to create big changes over time.
Try Habit Stacking
If you want to build a habit of reading the night prayer, begin by reading the Witr prayer. Start with one voluntary Witr prayer, as little as 1 rak’ah, or 3 or more. Once you are able to consistently read the Witr prayer at night, then practice what is called habit stacking – where you increase the number of rak’ahs that you read incrementally, building upon each successful small habit until you reach your goal.
Building a habit of reading the Qur’an
If you want to develop a habit of reading the Qur’an, start by reading one surah or one page. Repeat reading the same amount until it becomes a habit. Then increase the length of Quran that you read, in increment amounts. Continue the process of habit stacking, until reading the Qur’an becomes a daily habit.
