As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
Bismillah.

In our daily lives, all of us are engaged in various pursuits. We all have different tasks, duties, and responsibilities. Naturally, to be able to accomplish all of them, it is necessary to put them into an order, structure, and routine. In most big or small tasks in life, being systematic, structured, and organized significantly increases discipline, consistency, and sustainability, which in turn substantially boosts the success rate. For this reason, in this article, we will try to address the importance of preparing a daily/weekly routine, why we fail to follow routines and how we can stick to them, what an ideal routine should look like, its core foundations, and non-negotiables, Insha'ALLAH.

Before reading this article, we strongly recommend that you carefully read our Sleep Guide and subsequently our Sports Guide contents in order, as this article contains significant connections with those two pieces, helping to leave no question marks in your mind and allowing you to grasp the importance of these matters. In this article as well, we will strive to address the matter from both a religious (Islamic) and scientific perspective to the best of our ability, Insha'ALLAH. Effort comes from us, and success is from Almighty ALLAH. Bismillah.

Why is Preparing a Routine Important?

Preparing a routine, in its simplest form, means placing the tasks and steps that need to be done into a chronological order. However, placing them in chronological order alone is not enough to prepare a good program. Human life has a multi-faceted structure. Everyone has work to do and responsibilities to hold. Moreover, most tasks are subdivided into their own phases and steps. From the smallest to the largest, almost all of our actions require more or less planning and routine building. Otherwise, tasks started impulsively and without a plan get mixed up and become much harder than they should be. The need to plan and schedule applies to every situation—from preparing a meal to managing a war, from creating a daily routine to corporate planning. Throughout the day, all of us have many tasks and desires. Fulfilling our basic needs, personal care, spending time with loved ones, exercising, performing our acts of worship, and many more can be listed. However, when these actions are not organized properly, they may never get done due to unexpected events during the day, leaving the person at the end of the day having accomplished none of their goals, yet exhausted and demoralized from the constant state of uncertainty and stress. Scientifically speaking, human nature dislikes uncertainty. Uncertainty leads to anxiety and stress in humans. Furthermore, under the additional pressure from the burden of tasks that need to be done, a person becomes even more stressed and begins to lose clear thinking. Also, when we look at it, ALLAH (c.c.) in His supreme wisdom has prescribed 5 daily obligatory prayers for humans and designated specific time slots for each of them. In other words, prayer times follow a certain program. Each prayer has a specific time window and a set number of rak'ahs regarding how it should be performed.

When we look at all of these, the importance of having a structured daily routine becomes evident. However, not every program is the right program. Many of us struggle to stick to a routine even when we have one. So why does just any routine not work?

Why Do We Fail to Follow a Routine?

Even when we have a daily/weekly routine, we may sometimes struggle to follow it. You might not always be the guilty party here. Because sometimes the problem lies in the program itself and how it was prepared. Furthermore, not every routine is suitable for you. Let us examine some factors that cause us to fail to stick to a program.

1. Overly Intense and Static Routine

Some routines may look flawless from a distance. Dozens of major tasks crammed into a single day, hours of exercise, rigid rules, and a day divided minute by minute might look like the exact routine you need to succeed at first glance. However, the reality is quite different. Because these types of overly intense routines are usually far removed from the reality of life. Many unexpected events can occur in our daily lives. This situation is very far from the quietness and predictability required by a minute-by-minute, highly intense routine, because even the smallest disruption during the day can turn the entire schedule upside down. Life is dynamic and variable; it can never tolerate stasis or immobility. You can observe this even in the nature of inanimate objects. Even unused items gather dust, get dirty, rust, and become useless over time. Similarly, if a human does not move sufficiently, they suffer negative physical and psychological effects. The same applies to life itself. When even the hours of the day lengthen and shorten throughout the year, how possible is it for you to make a fixed-hour routine and apply it within the dynamic, surprise-filled flow of life? Giving a static routine to a human, who is a dynamic living being leading a dynamic life, is like trying to work with tools made of glass. Although glass is normally a very hard material, it is extremely brittle due to its lack of flexibility. These overly strict routines are just like glass; they can shatter at any moment. Additionally, humans are not machines. They are beings with emotions who can get bored, tired, and have various needs. Therefore, even though they may seem ideal, highly intense routines can cause more harm than good in the long run. Moreover, a person might have to sacrifice sleep, health, loved ones, and many other things just to stick to this schedule. Trying to fix these situations with artificial supplements does not resolve the root problem. We can see the wear and tear of overly intense programs even in the nature of objects. No matter how durable a tool is, under overly intensive use, it will eventually become unusable at some point. Looking at it scientifically and religiously, Almighty ALLAH has granted us flexible time windows to perform the 5 daily prayers that are obligatory upon us in all conditions. That is, we are given a flexible time frame to fulfill this duty. Furthermore, when we look at the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), we see that he always chose the easier path. Islam also prevents a person from ruining themselves even through worship, encouraging consistent, modest deeds over excessive but unsustainable ones.

2. Unaligned Priority Routine

Another reason why we fail to follow a routine is that it may not be tailored according to our own priorities and needs. For instance, while exercise occupies a large space and carries great importance in a professional athlete's routine, it requires less time and carries different significance for a regular person, even though they still need exercise. Or just as a school-aged child needs to dedicate time to their studies versus a father providing for his family needing to dedicate time to work, everyone has different priorities depending on their circumstances.

3. Incorrectly Sequenced Routine

Just as planning and scheduling a task is important, scheduling it in the correct order is equally vital. You can think of this like a cake recipe. To prepare a cake, you must follow the recipe step by step. First, you break the eggs, then add the flour, sugar, and other ingredients, mix them thoroughly, pour the mixture into the baking mold, put it in the oven, decorate it after it bakes if desired, wait for it to cool down, and then slice and serve it. But if we do not perform these steps in the correct order—putting other ingredients into the mold and baking without the eggs, cutting it into plates after taking it out, and then cracking eggs on top—meaning if we do not follow the steps of the process in the right sequence, we naturally cannot achieve the expected outcome. For this reason, having the right sequence in our daily routine is extremely important.

BONUS: Willpower and Consciousness

Adhering to a routine, along with all the other points mentioned, is fundamentally a matter of consciousness. This state generally relates to the entirety of life. It applies to things we want to do, things we want to quit/avoid doing, things we must or must not do, rules and routines we need to follow, and things we want to learn and achieve. Everything comes down to the mindset. What is the easiest way to do something? Simply to do it. Everyone thinks they know this topic, but most people have not truly internalized it. This topic is also closely related to the subject of boundaries mentioned in our sports article. The easiest way to do something, for example, moving a glass from one point to another, is just to move it. Taking action, initiating the task, doing what needs to be done, and not procrastinating. It is actually that simple to complete a task, a responsibility, to reach a goal, or to learn something. Or to guard one's eyes from the forbidden, or to perform the prayer. The whole matter consists of simply doing what needs to be done and avoiding what should not be done. Deep down, we all know this. So why can't we do it? Because of the boundaries, obstacles, and labels in our minds. Sometimes we feel lazy; our ego (nafs) places this obstacle. Sometimes we ask why should I do it instead of someone else; Satan places this obstacle. Sometimes we doubt how to do it or say I can't; we place this obstacle ourselves. Sometimes we say I can't do this anyway, everyone says so; others have placed that obstacle. First of all, it is beneficial to state and crucial to understand that obstacles will always exist in this life. Boundaries, labels, and obstacles will always be present, and there is no way to eliminate them entirely. They can be reduced, but not completely eliminated. Remember, this world is a place of trial, not a vacation spot. An English saying goes: "You cannot enjoy a calm sea and become a skilled sailor at the same time." Additionally, popular sayings supporting difficulty such as "No pain, no gain," "No risk, no reward," "He who loves the rose must bear its thorns," "Great things are difficult and require effort," "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and "Fortune favors the bold" can be listed as examples. Remember, it is pressure that turns coal into a diamond. For this reason, anyone who wants to achieve something or get somewhere in life must be ready to pay the price. The concept we call willpower comes into play right here. We can generally define willpower as disregarding obstacles in line with goals and purposes. Is moving that glass to another point the thing that needs to be done? Then doing it without listening to laziness means that person's willpower is greater than the obstacles here. However, for example, a person wants to wake up early but went to bed late. They are very sleepy in the morning. Here, the intensity of sleep can overshadow willpower. But the greater and stronger a person's purpose/goal is, the more it will reflect in their willpower. For instance, even if a person goes to bed very late, they get up no matter what when the morning prayer alarm rings. Because the purpose here is much greater than the obstacle, willpower naturally becomes much stronger. In addition to exerting willpower, if a person uses factors that can shrink obstacles to their advantage, they will be in a much more advantageous position. The saying "Starting a job is half the battle" is also related to this point. Because willpower is needed most when starting a task. Once we start a task, we have already overcome the obstacles once. At the same time, quitting that task would create a negative and unsuccessful effect on us, thus creating a positive barrier that supports us. Alongside all of this, we still need consciousness and willpower to sustain the work with discipline and perseverance. For example, waking up early is appealing to the ego due to the comfort and warmth of sleep, making it an obstacle for us. But if we exercise willpower and also keep ourselves warm after waking up, this reduces the obstacle further, making waking up early even easier for us. For instance, instead of putting obstacles in front of ourselves by applying negative labels like "I have no talent" in a subject we are interested in or need, if we speak positively to ourselves and believe that ALLAH will grant success to those who strive, exerting the necessary willpower and determination, there is nothing that cannot be achieved, Insha'ALLAH. Many people who shaped history were not naturally talented in many things they did. Some were even worse than average initially. But in the end, what put them ahead was acquiring a grand purpose, hard work, and displaying the necessary willpower. As a result of all these, ALLAH granted them success. All of these listed matters are a work of consciousness. Therefore, everything ultimately ends in the mind. The core of the matter is to be conscious of the goal and the reason driving us toward it, without hiding behind excuses, problems, obstacles, labels, or boundaries, and simply displaying the willpower to do what needs to be done. This is also what is required to adhere to a routine. There are three ways to fail: You either give up, intentionally go in the wrong direction, or die. Otherwise, even if a person wanting to succeed starts in the wrong direction, with the right consciousness, they realize and correct it. Looking at it from a religious perspective, we are already informed that this world is a place of test. Furthermore, patience is constantly advised. Surah Al-Asr perfectly summarizes our topic: "By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience." Surah Al-Asr 1-3

Core Foundations and Non-Negotiables of an Ideal Routine

Now that we have covered what to avoid when creating a routine, let us take a look at what should be followed when building one.

1. Dynamic and Flexible Routine

For a routine to be executable under all conditions, it must have a dynamic structure and be flexible, just like prayer times. For this reason, dividing the program according to prayer times, for example, will be extremely beneficial. This way, the routine remains continuously dynamic while offering flexible time slots for tasks in each division. At this point, leaving extra free time for tasks in the relevant section, just as with prayer windows, will increase feasibility. In other words, if tasks placed between Dhuhr and Asr prayers are arranged so that they can be comfortably completed with time to spare, it allows the person rest time when tasks are finished early, and even if a surprise occurs, it prevents the routine from being disrupted and tasks from being left undone.

2. Placing Appropriate Tasks in Appropriate Sections

Everything in life is dynamic. Ups and downs occur constantly. This state is also true for human physiology throughout the day. Certain hours of the day are more suitable for certain tasks. For example, while some intervals are more suited for physical work, others are more conducive to mental tasks. So which sections of the day are suitable for which tasks? The answer to this question is again found in prayer times, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), and the Qur'an. Below are the sections of the day and their suitable activities from both a scientific and religious perspective:
-The period between Sahar (pre-dawn) and Fajr prayer consists of quiet and extremely valuable hours that should be spent entirely in rest and worship. This interval should be reserved solely for worship and rest.
-The period between Fajr and Dhuhr prayer is when human energy and efficiency are at their peak. This interval should be dedicated to intense work, learning, and exercise.
-The period between Dhuhr and Asr prayer is an interval where energy and blood circulation speed gradually begin to decrease. This interval should pass with moderate intensity.
-The period between the Asr Prayer and the Maghrib Prayer is now a time when blood pressure is considerably lower. No work should be left for after this time of day, and this period should be kept as light as possible. This period should be devoted to rest and spending time with family. In addition, it is Sunnah to spend the time of Asr in dhikr and worship.
-The period between Maghrib and Isha prayer is the final interval of the active day, where the mind should be cleared and the body gradually transitioned into sleep mode.
-The period between Isha prayer and Sahar is the most efficient and important time frame for sleep.

3. The Role of Religion in the Daily Routine

For us Muslims, what matters most is not this temporary and mortal worldly life, but our real and eternal home, the hereafter. The happiness of our afterlife depends on our life in this world. For this reason, when creating our daily routine, we must give highest priority to religious acts of worship and duties that will keep our hearts and faith alive, reminding us of our religion and purpose of life. Even a few simple practices in this regard can yield immense benefits, by ALLAH's permission. For example, starting and ending the day with the Qur'an is extremely important. This detaches us from events experienced during the day and reconnects us to the divine revelation, while also cementing the importance of the Qur'an in our lives within our consciousness. In addition, it clears the mind and will hopefully earn us rewards. Furthermore, daily consistent reading of the Qur'an and Hadith, as long as it is modest but continuous, will keep us constantly engaged with the foundational sources of our religion, keep our hearts alive, and nourish the love and affection for Islam, ALLAH (c.c.), and the Prophet (s.a.w.) within us.

4. Waking Up/Going to Bed Early and Proper Sleep

Since we already addressed the importance of sleep in our sleep article, there is no need to prolong this piece by re-explaining and documenting it here. However, we can briefly touch upon sleeping early and waking up early. As stated in authentic hadiths, morning hours are blessed. Additionally, looking at the life of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), we can see that he was someone who slept early and woke up early. This habit can also be observed in many successful business people and athletes, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Because sleeping early and waking up early supports and strengthens not only mental and physical health but also our willpower and discipline.

5. Exercise During the Day

Since we covered the importance of exercise in our sports article, there is no need to go into deep detail here either. However, our daily routine must absolutely include exercise. Exercise does not only provide physical benefits; it also supports mental health and positively contributes to our other activities by strengthening discipline, willpower, and focus.

6. Evaluating and Planning the Day

Feedback is one of the most critical keys to improvement in almost every area. This applies to most fields, from self-reckoning (nafs muhasabah) to evaluating the day. Reviewing the day every evening allows us to see our progress and helps us understand what works and what doesn't. Furthermore, even if our daily routine is set, short daily variations can occur, so addressing that day's tasks specifically in the morning can clear our mind and help us focus on our work. Evaluating the day is particularly important because accounting for ourselves every day before dying and being held accountable in the grave is certainly lighter. Planning the day can also be done from the previous evening depending on the situation.

Apart from these, we can offer a few small and general pieces of advice:
-Set one main goal for each day. Also set a main goal for each week, month, and year.
-Have one or a few major goals for a day. Limit main tasks to a maximum of 5, schedule and execute them in order of priority.
-Schedule tasks by importance. Schedule the most important ones first, then the rest in order.
-Be sure to allocate time for rest as well; do not burn yourself out.
-Identify idle time and utilize it correctly.
-Parkinson's Law: If you give a task 2 hours, it expands to 2 hours; if you give it 30 minutes, it takes 30 minutes. Set time correctly for tasks, but leave a margin of error.
-You have 86,400 seconds every day, and they cannot be carried over or renewed. Use them well and do not waste them all over problems in a small fraction of them.
-Work smartly, correctly, and consistently, even if it is a little.
-If necessary, forgo insignificant activities for important goals.
-Be conscious and careful against stimuli and distractions, especially digital distractions.
-Switch to digital devices only when you have actual work, and do only the task you intended to do.
-Schedule your day well. Establish a balance among work, yourself, loved ones, and needs.
Additionally, a few small tips for those who still struggle to stick to a routine despite all this:
-Every 30 minutes, question yourself about what you did during the preceding period.
-Note down even the smallest thing you do during the day; at the end of the day, identify the biggest time-wasters from this list and change them.
-Look at tasks to be done, in progress, and completed; identify what is getting clogged and why.
-Compare your ideal day with your actual day, identify problems, and correct them.
-Fix one problem every day/week.

Yes, and thus we have reached the end of this article as well. In this piece, utilizing our previous two articles, we learned the importance of a routine, the reasons for failing to stick to a routine, and the necessary points for an ideal routine. With this article, we have come to the end of this series. Insha'ALLAH, it has been beneficial. We expect plenty of prayers from you. Lastly, I would like to state that while the things mentioned in all three articles are quite general, applicable to almost everyone, and actionable by almost anyone, individuals can make additions based on their own situations and needs. Finally, let us conclude our article by summarizing what we have learned.

Important Note: In addition to what is written here, the points mentioned in the sleep and exercise sections for the ideal schedule should also be integrated into this schedule. For example, exercising after each prayer time and performing the dhikr, preparations, and acts of worship after waking up/before going to sleep.

Summary of the Subject:

Planning and scheduling hold critical importance for success. Planning the day is extremely useful for bringing order to life and work. However, sticking to an improperly prepared routine may not be possible. There are points to consider to prepare an appropriate routine. Proper sleep and exercise are of vital importance for a correct routine. Below are the results reached through scientific and religious research for an ideal core routine:

Core Daily Routine:

• Fajr Prayer - Dhuhr Prayer:
  • Waking Up
  • Planning the Day
  • Qur'an + Hadith Reading
  • Warming up, Stretching, and Exercise
  • Learning
  • Important Tasks
• Dhuhr Prayer - Asr Prayer:
  • Daily Tasks
  • Daily Duties
• Asr Prayer - Maghrib Prayer:
  • Rest
  • Family
• Maghrib Prayer - Isha Prayer:
  • Time Away from Screens and Food
  • Evaluating the Day
  • Qur'an Reading
• Isha Prayer - Fajr Prayer:
  • Sleep
  • Tahajjud

If we were correct, it is solely from ALLAH. If we made a mistake, it is solely from ourselves. Insha'ALLAH it was beneficial.
Wishing for it to bring goodness. We await your good prayers.
Salamun alaykum.