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A special thank you to:

The number 40 holds a particular significance, and we often see it referenced within our teachings and practices.

Recall that the Prophet (saw) received his first revelation at 40.

This is worth meditating on, as it goes far beyond the mere numeric value.

It symbolizes maturity and a stage of life where one has garnered sufficient wisdom and understanding of the world.

It teaches us that even our beloved Prophet(saw) did not rush into his calling, reflecting the principle of ‘haste is waste’.

It encourages us to be patient in our pursuits.

The Quran and Hadith have numerous instances where the number 40 is highlighted, each bearing unique interpretations and lessons.

For instance, in Surah Al-Mu’minun mentions:

These three darkness veils are the abdominal wall, the womb itself, and the amniochorionic membrane.

Science finally caught up to Islam when it confirmed that a human is collected in their mother’s womb for 40 days as a sperm-drop, then as a clinging clot for another 40 days, and then as a lump of flesh for another 40 days.

So, how can I take advantage of the significance of 40?

The first 40 days of forming new habits are crucial for several reasons.

This period is long enough to create new neural pathways in the brain, essential for establishing new behaviors. It also provides enough time to experience the benefits and rewards of the new habit, which can motivate you to continue.

One effective strategy for building new habits is habit stacking.

This technique involves attaching a new habit to an existing one, using the cue and reward of the old habit to trigger and reinforce the new habit.

For instance, if you want to develop the habit of reading the Quran daily, you could link it to the habit of praying salaah.

By piggybacking on the established habit loop of salaah, you create a new habit loop that supports your goal of reading the Quran.

Habit stacking can also create a chain of behaviors that follow each other, such as lighting a scented candle as part of a morning routine of dhikr, stretching, making your bed, and having a healthy breakfast.

You can seamlessly integrate these habits into your daily life without much resistance by stacking them together.

Dedicating 40 days to habit formation is committing to growth and transformation.

It signals a serious intention to change and aligns your habits with your values and goals.

This commitment creates momentum, accountability, and a sense of progress.

Today marks the start of the 40 days we can commit to rebuilding, recalibrating, and rejuvenating our mind, body, and soul for Allah.

Insha’allah, by the end of Ramadan, we can be transformed into a more prophetic lifestyle.

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