Day 1 Challenge: Strengthening Your Foundation with Knowledge

“Know that there is no deity except God and seek forgiveness for your sins.” – (Qur’an 47:19)

Today, commit to seeking knowledge as the bedrock of your worship, by choosing one or all of the following tasks to complete. 1) Learn one new thing: Choose a short lecture, book excerpt, or article on a core aspect of Islam—prayer, belief, or the names of God. Take notes and reflect on its impact. 2) Strengthen your intention before prayer: Take some time before each prayer today, however much time is needed, and remind yourself of why you are praying. Dig deep. Also reflect on the meaning behind each movement and words said. 3) Memorize or reflect on one of God’s names: Pick a name that resonates with you today—Al-Wakil (The Trustee), Al-Rahman (The Most Merciful)—and contemplate its significance in your life.

Reflect on this:

• What new insights about worship or Islam have you gained?
• How would a deeper understanding of prayer affect your focus?
• What aspect of knowledge do you need to prioritize next?

Tips for Success:

• Make a habit of asking What does God want from me? before making decisions.
• Keep a “knowledge journal” where you note one new lesson every day.
• Remember, knowledge without action is incomplete—strive to apply what you learn immediately.

Day 2 Challenge: Overcoming the Lower Self through Repentance and Discipline

“Indeed, the self is prone to evil, except for those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” – (Qur’an 12:53)

Today, actively work on taming your lower self and renewing your spiritual state. Choose one or all of the following tasks to focus on today. 1) Perform sincere repentance (tawbah): Reflect on past shortcomings and ask God for forgiveness, with the intention to reform. 2) Fast from something that feeds the lower self: Whether it’s excessive phone use, gossip, or unnecessary indulgence—identify one habit and refrain from it for the entire day. 3) Engage in self-discipline through extra worship: Add one extra voluntary act of worship—whether it’s an additional unit of prayer (raka’ah), remembrance (dhikr), or a moment of silent reflection.

Reflect on this:

• How do you believe fasting from a negative habit will impact your self-control?
• What emotions should you, or do you experience while making sincere repentance?
• What area of your lower self still requires work?

Tips for Success:

• Before some actions, pause and ask: Is this bringing me closer to or further from God?
• Write a list of recurring habits that feed your lower self and work on eliminating them gradually.
• Remember, the lower self is never defeated in a single battle—this is a lifelong struggle of refinement.

Day 3 Challenge: Cultivating Gratitude and Perseverance in Worship

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.” – (Qur’an 14:7)

Today, focus on gratitude and maintaining consistency in worship. Keep a gratitude log for the day: Every few hours, write down at least one thing you are grateful for—whether big or small. Perform all your prayers on time and with presence: If possible, pray in a quiet, uninterrupted space and engage deeply in the meaning of the recitations. 

Reflect on this:

• How should actively practicing gratitude shift your mindset?
• Did praying with focus feel difficult for you? If so, explore why? 
• What steps will you take to ensure perseverance in worship beyond today?

Tips for Success:

• Start every day with Alhamdulillah and end it with Astaghfirullah—gratitude and repentance go hand in hand.
• If you find yourself rushing through prayer, slow down and focus on a single verse or word.
  
  • Bonus tip: Your ability to focus in prayer begins outside of it. If you focus more on God outside of prayer, your ability to focus on Him while praying increases.
• Remind yourself: It’s not about grand actions, but about consistency—even the smallest act of worship, done consistently, can lead to spiritual transformation.

We’d love to hear about your journey with these challenges! Share your reflections, experiences, and any insights you gained by reaching out to us at letsgrow@sowsee.com.