Following post is a collection of few interviews I have done with some Muslims/Muslimahs online. In this post, you will get to see what an average day for them looks like.

When you usually search in Google for an average day of a Muslim, you only see tips on what you should be doing, an ideal day; but through this post, you get to see that there are Muslims around the world who are very different than you and I, and that doesn’t make us more or less practicing than each other.

Through these interview, I hoped to highlight how a typical Muslim’s day looks like, how they practice Islam in their daily life, etc. This does not mean that you have to follow them. It’s merely for acknowledging that everyone’s different yet also connected somehow.

Keep in mind, this interview focuses only on their current life. So this is not to say that this is what they will be doing for the rest of their lives. It’s just right now, at this stage, this is what their typical day looks like, and I hope that you find some inspiration or be able to connect with them and find this helpful.

These are the questions that were asked for the interview:

Describe an average day in your life. How do you practice Islam in your daily life? How do you dedicate time to your family? What are your current hobbies that you do on a regular basis? How do you take care of your health on a daily basis? What’s the one thing you are thankful to yourself for? What’s the one thing that never fails to make you smile? Lastly, I try to guess their love language based on what they have shared with me, just to end the interview on a fun note.

السلآم عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

1) Abdul Razak || (23y/o) || Bangali (British) || Single || Student

Describe an average day in your life.

Wake up 6am (before fajr usually). Pray, eat, shower leave at 8 for university. Most days on average are 9-5 (with lunch hour). 9-12 lectures, nothing big. 2-5 lab work or workshop which during past few months makes it difficult to pray so often I just pray outside the room very quickly (duhr 12, asr 2, maghrib 4).

5pm leave and go for food and mosque for isha. Gym session followed by any work for following day then bed. During semester not much personal time and weekends I work.

How do you practice Islam in your daily life?

My priorities are my fardh : salat, saum (in ramadhan), listening to parents.

So I do my best with regards to these however praying everyday when you spend 12+ hours out the house gets difficult and often I just pray fardh wherever I can (corridors, abandoned floors, empty rooms, changing rooms etc). Walking between lectures and throughout the day I do dhikr if I am alone or ill try and put an Islamic lecture on my phone (however this is less likely during semester time). This is OK during university time but at work there is usually a radio on and I don’t really do much dhikr there. On a daily basis I also make sure I give time to Quran some days more than others (especially if I’m feeling down).

Things I’d like to improve: I find myself multi-tasking a lot so when I’m doing dhikr I don’t really concentrate on what I’m saying and I kinda become hasty with it. Ideally I would like to make time and meditate. With Quran I memorise a bit then I go a few days without any memorization and I don’t really learn the translation so I really want to do this. I also want to get back to studying Arabic language. Pray more sunnah prayers, spend more fardh prayers in mosque. Do more nafl fasts. I really would like to work with Islamic charities during my off time but I don’t really have much social time.

Anything more I can elaborate on?

[Me]: Nope, that’s good. how do you dedicate time to your family or to build relationship?

[him]: That’s more summer time stuff. I visit all my cousins and that regularly but term time I just get on with studies. I try make sure my parents are good (have a long conversation with them every so often) but really I just keep myself to myself. Haven’t made many friends since school (university Muslims are fairly problematic) I prefer being with my friends who are not the best to be around (in terms of their behaviour and deen).

No female in sight. Can’t remember the last time I spoke to a hijabi.

[Me]: You prefer to be friends with those who are not best on their Deen? I am not judging, I am think that may have been a typo, so asking for clarification. So regarding family, you would say that you are mostly by yourself or minding your own business on an average day except during vacations or holidays?

[Him] Family : my immediate household and my baby cousins who live near. They see me a few times a week (I’ll teach them Islam and homework) other members I’ll contact on WhatsApp frequently.

Friends : it’s mixed as before I used to hang around with friends who are/were in trouble with the law often but I’ve started leaving that type behind. Others I see were weak in iman before but now alhamdulillah they’ve really started to take care of their deen. But I won’t really see/talk with anyone on a daily basis unless I bump into the mosque.

What are your current hobbies that you do on a regular basis?

Summer time I get active more, tennis is the main one.

But during autumn winter it’s mainly just gym. I used to play console/mobile games but not for awhile now. I enjoy reading but I don’t get the chance to read as many fantasy novels as I can. Tbh I spend a lot of free time working. Need to find something I can do daily, thanks for reminding me.

[Me]: So basically right now you don’t have the time for hobby, and you mainly see as gym, something you do frequently, as your hobby. Are you happy with it or do you feel right now downtime portion of day is boring ?

[Him] Wouldn’t really have anything to do if I did have the time. I’m not too fussed. As long as I see my friends from time to time I’m good.

Only thing I’d like to do is get married then I’d have something to do in my free time.

How do you take care of your health on a daily basis?

Big breakfast (toast eggs oats banana). Homemade sandwiches for lunch. Take out once every few months. Snacks limited to nuts and flapjacks. Love my veg. But some days it’s hard to follow this and I end up messing up. Walk plenty. Swim often. But I’ve always had problems with my health so all this is just so I don’t become weak.

Fasting helps a great deal. Friends who workout, play tennis etc help.

Whats the one thing you are grateful to yourself for?

Listening to my parents. Praying.

[Me] So you are happy you listened to your parents about prayers?

[Him] My dad when it came to life lessons. My mum with regards to religion.

All my cousins. Younger baby ones to the older ones. We get on really well

[Me] So based on what you said, your love language is quality time. Is that correct?

Yes I’d agree. With touch a close second.

السلآم عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

2) Eman || Age: 21 || Ethnicity: North African Arab || Sex: F || Relationship status: Single

What’s your average day like ?

Because of the fact that I am still a university student, my average day consists of this: waking up in the morning, making wuduu’/washing face and getting ready for prayer. Then I get ready for uni, pack my bags and hop on the bus. I go to class, then during class breaks go to the musallah where I do my duhr, asr prayers. Go back to class, then at the end, meeting up woth some friends, go out to eat together.

Then hop on the bus together to go home. I get home, wash/make wuduu’, pray maghreb. Then i go on my laptop, check all social media, reddit, Facebook. I do some of job’s work of the week bit by bit everyday. I hand it it and get some of my hours done. I then open some of the lectures form uni, do a little review.

After all that is done, i go on my phone and watch stranger things. Then i go pray Isha, and get in bed. I watch a few more shows then turn off the lights at around 12.

How do you practice Islam in your daily life?

Basically by performing the 5 prayers everyday and making du’aa before and after the prayer.

How do you dedicate time to your family?

This one is hard, because of not having time during the school year. But before I leave to Uni and whatnot, i kiss my mother on her forehead, give her a hug, read some du’as and then off I go. With my father since he is a bit more busy, we usually have conversations at home after we both come home and tlak about our day.

We always have supper together though, since we believe that a Family that eats together stays together. On the weekend, we always go out together, prepare meals together and just make sure we do anything with the whole family instead of alone since we never know when we may loose one another.

How do you take care of your health on a regular basis?

On the Mondays of every week, my friend and I go to the gym together for about two hours to exercise. I find that to be a hobby of mine since it makes me feel great at the end. On the other days, I like to watch tv shows, dramas and just scroll through social media for inspiration on what to make for meals, and to laugh at comedian shows.

I try to control my portions, since I know that access to healthy food around uni is quite hard to find, I make do with what I have and eat less of certain things. I also carry a water bottle with me and drink at least two bottles a day if I can.

What are you thankful to yourself for?

I’m thankful to myself for being perseverant in times of hardships. I really am. But I also have to thank Allah for this (Alhamdullilah). I was in a bad situation last year, that lasted until just recently and if I had not been patient, and persistent with myself, then I would not have made it through and surpassed this trial.

I would pray day and night, even randomly during the times I caught myself day dreaming, just that I would be able to surpass this obstacle and alhamdullilah I just learned that I have and honestly, it had me in tears. I spent the last two days thanking Allah for answering my prayers.

What never fails to bring a smile on your face?

My mother.

[Me] I would say your love language is quality time.

You are definitely right haha. wow 🙂

3) Fathima ||20 || Sri Lankan || Single || Student

Tell me about your average day. What does it look like?

My life has been pretty mundane for the past month and is probably going to be that way until the end of Feb. I’ve been studying for an exam and not really doing much else.

Wake up, study, do some mock exams, catch up on some shows, maybe walk around the neighbourhood. That’s pretty much it 🙂

How do you practice Islam on a daily basis?

[I…] get my prayers done, read some Quran maybe once or twice a week, watch some podcasts relating to Islam, control my tongue from sinning (been cutting down on swearing and losing my temper and such), trying to make my parents happy.

Is this what you’re looking for?

When asked if she is aware of the good deeds daily, she responded, “To some degree, yes. However I still have a looong way to go on perfecting my prayers and having khushu.

I do all the menial things like IDK(I don’t know)…walking into the bathroom with my left leg and making sure I sit whilst I am eating/drinking, eat with my right hand, use a miswakh, etc

Before I would say that I wasn’t as aware of doing these acts, but as I am trying to study more about Islam and improve myself I’ve become more conscious of these little stuff too.

How do you give time to your family?

I self study so I am at home with them 24/7. I wouldn’t say I do anything in particular besides just doing chores around the house, avoid arguments with them, help them if need something.

Tell me about your hobbies that you do on a regular basis.

I am into art and crafts 🙂 I’ve only painted mandalas so far, but I plan on branching out once I am done with my exams.

How do you take care of your health on a regular basis?

I should be doing some sort of physical activity, but I am not >.< Besides cutting down on sweets, taking my meds and eating relatively healthy meals, I don’t really do anything else health wise.

What’s something you are thankful to yourself for?

I guess I am thankful for realizing there’s truth in Islam, but then again it was Allah who guided me… I hope this is not too vague.

[What’s something that makes you smile?] Lol this is a bit shallow but SALES! colourful socks, cute babies & unexpected gifts :3

[Me] : I assume your love language is physical touch. You feel most loved when you receive hugs, kisses etc.

[Her]: Hahah well it depends. I am mostly squirmish with 99% of the people and I am ticklish EVERYWHERE so yeah >.< [It’s…] Quality time . (I just did a quiz rn lel right now…)

4) Name: Koko (my nickname based on my real name)

Age: 21

Ethnicty: Afgan Canadian (Pakhtun)

Relationship status: Single and not ready to mingle

Occupation: College student and administrator

An average day is pretty uneventful and boring to be honest. Starts off at 6 am. Get ready (usual morning routine) and leave for work. After work bus to college and attend evening classes. After come home. Study and eat than sleep. Repeat for fives days. Thats what my average days look like while working/attending college.

How do you practice Islam in your daily life?

Prayers and duaing. If I am being honest my praying game isnt as strong. Its somewhere I really struggle and am trying to improve. I always make dua and thank Allah constantly. Always in remeberance of his mercy. I practice it by my actions. I don’t wear hijab but I dress modestly. Im not a perfect muslim not even close but I am trying to better myself in faith.

How do you dedicate time to your family?

We always have dinner together. We are really close especially my siblings and I. I am rebuilding my relationship with mom and dad. We were abused since we were children. I am learning to fogive them and myself for what happened in the past. By spending time with them, taking care of them, helping them and being there for your family. Making compromises and sacrifices for them. We have family movie nights as well as ladies nights to spend time. We are and have always been close because of the things we have gone through.

What are some of your hobbies that you do regularly?

I really enjoy reading and relaxing by myself with a good book and a cup of coffee. Something I do regularly that I enjoy besides reading is decluttering and organizing. That may sound lame but nothing like getting clean and tidy. Just turns me right on. I also enjoying going out to eat. Just spending time with people who’s company I enjoy. Really.

How do you take care of your health?

I’d like to think I eat fairly healthy. Afghan diet is pretty balanced. I don’t drink pop or sugar drinks. Dont have a sweet tooth which makes it easier. I have times where I treat my body like garbage but genetics and mataliblism are on my side. So I have a difficult time putting on wieght. I drink plenty of water. I go to the gym two to three times a week. I do have some weeks were I dont go to the gym because of how busy I am or lazy tbh.

[Her] Thankful to myself? Or one thing I am thankful for in terms of life?

If for myself its my ability not to hold grudges against people. To be able to forgive myself and move on. Self talk too. Thats a hard one.

What’s something that never fails to make you smile?

A funny joke or something someone says. Seeing someone happy.

[Me] Now to close the interview, we will end it on this, I am going to guess your love language based on what you have said. You are someone who feels more loved with words of affection you feel loved when you are complimented, appreciated through words, and when they verbally express they love you etc.

(The others include touch, gifts, acts of service, and quality time)

[Her] I wouldn’t say that is very accurate. But close.

Showing they love me in their actions and physical affection towards me. Words are meaningless if they arent acted upon. Acts of Service and Quality Time would be mine.

5) Name: Abdullah ||Ethnicity: Black/African (Nigerian) ||Relationship Status: Single – never married ||Occupation: Student – studying biology ||Age: 22

Describe an average day in your life.

I wake up early in the morning for fajr. After this I usually go on my computer or phone and check my twitter, facebook and youtube news feeds. I then prepare a meal for myself, get dressed and head out to class. Between classes I pray at the on-campus musallah if it’s prayer time. Otherwise I’ll be studying, or completing assignments. When classes are done I’ll head home most of the time, except for Fridays where campus Jumuah prayer and MSA meetings will follow after class. At home I’ll grab another meal and catch-up with family over phone or skype. At the end of my day I often do a group activity with my roomates (ping pong etc.). Aside from salah, and some entertainment (tv shows etc.) I’ll head to bed.

How do you practice Islam daily?

1) Performing my salah 5 times a day 2) Reading the Quran when I’m going from place-to-place 3) Listening to Islamic lectures 4) Putting some effort into avoiding the prohibitions

How do you dedicate time to your family?

Since I am away studying, the only way I can dedicate time on a daily basis is through phone and skype calls. I can spend up to one hour speaking with them through that.

What are your hobbies that you do frequently?

1) There quite a few fan forums that I right detailed theories on quite frequently 2) Playing video games (FIFA etc.) & watching shows/movies

I sound boring

[Me] Lol, are you happy with your hobbies? Or are they more of just killing time?

[Him] I’m happy with my hobbies. I’m much more active during the spring and summer, but winter is very long where I am.

How do you take care of your health?

1) I make sure to walk between destinations as much as possible. I can get quite a few kilometers that way. 2) For the most part I avoid junk food and I tend to cook my own meals the vast majority of the time. 3) For my mental health I find talking with family to be the best medicine.

What’s something you are thankful to yourself for?

I see, I’ve never really thought about the idea of thanking oneself. Interesting.

I would have to say that I’m thankful to myself for making an effort to limit the effect that my unconscious biases have on my interactions with others.

What’s something that never fails to make you smile?

Seeing the smiles of others.

[Me] For real? I mean, anything that’s a bit more personal ? And okay so to end this interview, I am going to try to guess your love language. Just to end it on a hopefully fun note.

And you let me know if I am correct or not.

[Him] [and] Speaking with my siblings.

Okay, I’m game.

[Me] Okay based on what you said your primary love language is touch: Hugs, kisses etc makes you feel more loved than the other love languages.

[Him] Wow, that’s on the money. I took a quiz a while back and got the same result. What gave it away?

6) Lia Gomez || 27 years old ||Latina || Divorced ||Full time student & Full time adult education teacher.

[A typical day for Lia ….]

[I…] wake up to pray Fajr. Wake my child up and we both begin to get ready for school/work. Drop her off at the bus stop and arrive to work.

[I…] Help in the cafeteria (I work in an elementary school), check my email and begin teaching my classes. Classes end around noon and I do data entry until lunch time and I go out for lunch. Return and pray Dhuhr prayer. Do some more data entry while watching/listening to podcasts or Netflix. Pray Asr prayer and get ready to go home. Leave work and get home around 4:00pm.

My sister picks up my child from the bus stop after school so she’s already home. We eat snacks and go to the gym. I work out for about an hour. I return home, pray Mahgrib prayer, and start making dinner. We eat dinner and clean up. Pray Isha prayer. I do homework while she watches TV. Her bedtime comes around and I tuck her into bed. I do some more homework. I take a quick shower and go to bed.

This is my typical day, but sometimes I attend my mosque for classes too, but they vary in times and days.

How do you practice Islam in your daily life?

I pray 5 times a day. I wear hijab (headscarf) full time. I dress modestly. I take Arabic and Islamic knowledge classes at my mosque so I study/do homework. I abstain from pork and alcohol. I dedicate time during my day, wherever I am, to pray. I try to best a good person and do good deeds. I try to control my temper and not go off on people. I keep my word.

And how do you dedicate time to your family?

In my household, we eat dinner together, run errands together, have game nights or movie nights. We talk all the time about school and what’s going on in her life. She understands that I have to study or do homework since she’s old enough (9 years old) but when I take study breaks, we will have some short quality time doing something- her pick. My extended family, I go to family parties a few times a month on the weekend and catch up. I’m Latina so we always have parties for everything.

What are your hobbies that you do on a regular basis?

I read, listen to music, play board games/cards, watch TV/movies, exercise, play with my daughter. Physically, I exercise daily. I eat crappy, but I don’t drink energy drinks or alcohol. Mentally- I pray and try to take breaks to not stress out.

What are you thankful to yourself for?

My resilience. I’ve had my ups and downs and I still here putting up a good fight.

What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?

My daughter 🙂