Some of the simplest sunnahs are the few words the Prophet, peace be upon him, said at ordinary moments of the day. Each takes a few seconds. This lesson follows them in the order a normal day goes, and gives the meaning of each one in English. The Arabic is on the page; learn its pronunciation from a teacher or a trusted recording.

When you wake up, praise Allah for giving you another day. The meaning is: "All praise is for Allah, who gave us life after He had caused us to die, and to Him is the return." Hudhayfah reported that the Prophet said this when he got up from sleep. It is in Sahih al-Bukhari. Sleep is likened to a kind of death, and waking to being given life again.

Before going into the toilet, seek Allah's protection. The meaning is: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female evil ones." Anas reported this, also in Sahih al-Bukhari. Say it before you go in.

When you come out, ask for forgiveness with a single word whose meaning is: "I ask for Your forgiveness." 'A'ishah reported this. It is in Jami' at-Tirmidhi, graded authentic by al-Albani.

When you leave home, place your day in Allah's care. The meaning is: "In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah; there is no might and no power except by Allah." Anas reported that whoever says this as he leaves his house is told that he has been sufficed and protected, and the devil moves away from him. This is also in at-Tirmidhi, graded authentic.

When you come home, there is no fixed wording to learn. Jabir reported, in Sahih Muslim, that when a person remembers Allah as he enters his house and at his meal, the devil tells his companions that there is no place for them to stay and no supper. So mention Allah's name as you step in, and again before you eat.

At the mosque, ask for mercy on the way in: "O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy." And on the way out, ask for His bounty: "O Allah, I ask You from Your bounty." Both are from the same instruction of the Prophet in Sahih Muslim.

A few common mistakes: trying to learn all of these in one week, saying the toilet supplication after going in rather than before, and treating the English transliteration as if it were the real text. Pick one moment, perhaps leaving home, keep it for a week, and then add the next.