Women hold a supremely important role in Islam.
Our Prophet (SAW) campaigned for women’s rights and celebrated their role in maintaining stability and structure within the family. Becoming a productive Muslimah is something we should aspire to be, but it can be challenging.
Islam promotes productivity in all five of its essential pillars, all of which require a proactive mindset.
Whether we look at the pillar of declaring our faith in Allah, or the five mandatory prayers, the giving of charity, fasting, or performing Hajj, each pillar provides Muslims with a structure and behavioural pattern to follow.
“To whomever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, We shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions. (Quran, 16:97)
So, what does it mean to be a productive Muslimah?
Productivity provides Muslims with actionable steps followed by great benefits. Western concepts of productivity focus heavily on wealth and economic growth.
However, the Islamic concept of productivity is different. It focuses on purpose, discipline, and goals in a more holistic way.
Why Is It Important In Islam To Be Productive?
Islam teaches us that being productive has many benefits.
- Productivity was a key characteristic of the messengers of Allah. They were sent as an example to us. Remember, Prophet Noah spent 950 years making da’wah at a time when Islam was new.
- Being productive also provides us with a life of meaning and structure. In today’s world where we can lose hours scrolling on social media, having structure in the day helps us to clarify what needs to be prioritised.
- If you want to achieve your goals, then productivity is the conduit to doing this. As Muslimahs, we are often responsible for others alongside ourselves. Building a productive lifestyle can be beneficial for ourselves and those around us.
Islam provides us with a great framework within which to structure our days – the 5 daily prayers. This is a great starting point for anyone looking to build routine and productivity.
What Are The Key Components Of Productivity?
To be truly productive, you need to ensure you have three things:
- A game plan
- The motivation/energy
- Focus
It’s as simple as that. These three elements will help you channel your productivity effectively.
For Muslims, our productivity should be based around the principles of spirituality, discipline, and social responsibility. What do we mean by each of these?
✨Spirituality
Well, spirituality essentially means understanding that we belong to Allah (SWT) and that we submit to His will.
Knowing that everything we do is for Him helps us to ensure that we use our time well and consciously. This in turn leads to barakah which multiplies goodness and benefits.
Spiritual productivity also includes gaining knowledge and sharing it with others.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim” (at-Tirmidhi)
🔎Discipline
The discipline element of productivity comes with being able to control our bodies and minds.
Set yourself achievable goals. Minimise negative and intrusive thoughts by focusing on your spirituality and the reason for wanting to be productive.
Being disciplined is hard, so utilise any tools you can to help you build a routine you can stick to. Journals, diaries, digital calendars, and reminders are all a great way to maintain accountability.
🤝Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is a thread running throughout our lives as Muslims.
Islam not only elevates the of status of women but also reminds men to treat us well. Our beloved Prophet (SAW) stated:
“The best from among you is one who behaves best towards his wife.”
As women, we fulfil many roles. We are daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers.
Social responsibility is all about taking actions that benefit ourselves and others. Having an ongoing commitment to social responsibility enhances our productivity as Muslimahs.
We have a responsibility to ourselves and those around us.
Practical Tips For Being a Productive Muslimah💓
We live in the age of instantaneous communication and constant stimuli around us. There are so many distractions in our daily lives that sometimes it can be difficult to be productive.
Here are some tips that will help you be more productive and minimise the external white noise:
Intentions
The first step for any productive Muslimah is to make the intention to be productive.
Any Muslim will know that having sincere intentions is important since our actions are based on intentions and vice versa.
Always start with a sincere intention whether you are setting off for a day of work, a day of tending to your family or your own needs.
Sincerity of intention will open the door to blessings and rewards and takes very little effort.
Planning
Planning your time effectively is one of the best ways to be productive. You don’t have to create a long list on paper.
Planning can be a quick recap in your head of what you want to achieve that day. Remember, schedule in time for prayer, work, family, and yourself.
Routine
Effective planning leads to good routines. Routines don’t have to be complicated or busy.
Having a routine gives you a structure for your day and affects your emotional well-being in times of uncertainty or stress.
Focus your routine on the five daily prayers and use them to build in the rest of your routine including sleeping, eating, resting, housework, studying, and tending to others.
Consistency
An important hadith that comes to mind when we talk of productivity is:
‘Allah loves that when you do anything, you do it with excellence.’
Always focus on quality over quantity.
Doing some small, consistent actions daily is better than overwhelming yourself with huge tasks that you know you cannot commit to long-term.
Start with something as simple as reciting the tasbih on your fingers after each prayer. This only takes a few minutes but ensures you consistently remember Allah and all His blessings.
Reflection
Take time out regularly to reflect on your actions and how productive you are.
No one is productive all the time.
All we can do is strive to be productive and take time to self-reflect and improve.
Try doing this at the end of your day, thinking back on whether you felt you had been productive and what you can do to minimise pointless distractions in your life.
Tawakkul
“Put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.”
To be a truly productive Muslimah, you must make sure that your actions and intentions are focused on pleasing Allah (SWT).
This leads back to what is mentioned above about spiritual productivity. Put all your trust in Allah (SWT). Speak to Him and seek His guidance throughout your day.
One final note, be kind to yourself! You can’t be productive all the time and no one expects you to be.
All you can do is your best.
Being productive does not mean always physically doing things.
Productivity includes down-time, time to reflect, regather, regenerate, and refresh. Sometimes the smallest action can be the most productive such as reciting the tasbee or showing kindness to a family member.
About this Author:
This blog post was written by Shazia Ali.
Before entering the creative world of writing, Shazia worked as corporate lawyer and is also an occupational therapist. She enjoys working across various niches such as Islamic finance, health and wellness, business, and life hacks. Through her work, Shazia aims to reconnect with faith and help others do the same.
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