Manners of Sleeping

Decencies/ Correct Behaviour and Remembrance/Adhkaar at Night (before Sleeping)

 Source:

 Silsilat Al-Államatain Ibn Baz and Al-Albaani, issue no. 88, 1428 AH.

 

All praises are to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), his family and his Companions. As for what follows:

Among the wisdom for creating sleep, is that Allah Almighty made sleep for mankind to rest after the exhaustion of the day. The daytime is made for man to strive to earn his livelihood, and run errands for his daily affairs. Consequently, the body consumes a lot of energy and becomes weak after the day’s chores, thus needing to renew its energy and vitality. Sleep is a stop-point for man and a mercy from our Lord the Merciful. Allah Almighty said: “and We have made your sleep subaata (as a thing for rest).” Surat An-Naba’ (78:9)

Ibn Kathir (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Subaata (in the previous verse): means a cessation of movement in order to attain rest from the frequent repetition and going about in search of livelihood during the day. Therefore, Islam has given much attention to sleeping and legislated the etiquette of sleeping and supplications to be said at the time of retiring to bed and before sleeping and urges one to maintain them.”

Ibn al-Qayyim (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Sleep is a state of the body whereby the temperature as well as the energy decreases thus asking for rest.”

Terminologies of Sleep 

• Qayloula (Nap): The sleep at noon. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Take a nap because the devils do not take a nap.” [Abu Na’ee

• Ghafwa (Dozing off): A very light sleep (nap). Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting with us, and he dozed off, then he lifted his head and smiled.” [Muslim]

• Sinah (Slumber): To feel sleepy. Almighty Allah said: “Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him.” Al-Baqarah (2:255)

• Subaat (Deep Sleep): A deep sleep. Almighty Allah said: “And We have made your sleep as a thing for rest.” An-Naba’ (78:9)

• Nu’as (Sleepiness): Similar to sinah and it is the introduction or beginning of sleep, and an indication that the body needs rest. Almighty Allah said: “(Remember) when He covered you with a slumber as a security from Him.” Al-Anfal (8:11)

• Ruqad (Dormancy): Almighty Allah said: “And you would have thought them awake, while they were asleep.” Al-Kahf  (18:18)

One of the Qualities of Allah Almighty is that He is Everlasting (Eternal)

 Sleep is one of the qualities of creatures, and not one of Allah Almighty’s Qualities, “The Ever-Living, Everlasting and Eternal,” as sleep contradicts the perfect life and qualities of “The Eternal.” Allah Almighty created sleep so He can differentiate between the might of His Divinity and Lordship, and the humility of His servitude, and that sleep is the difference between the Creator and the created beings.

Abu Mousa (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) preached with five words; he (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah the Great and Mighty does not sleep, and it is not suitable for (His Majesty) to sleep …” [Muslim]

Imam an-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: “The words of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) “does not sleep and it is not suitable for Him to sleep” mean that Allah the Glorious and the Great does not sleep and it is impossible for His Majesty that He sleeps. Sleep is a state which dominates the mind, and with that all feelings would vanish, and Allah is far above being attributed with that, and it is impossible to be so.”

Etiquette of Sleep

• It is disliked that one sleep alone: “The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade loneliness (one being alone) to sleep alone or to travel alone.” [Ahmad]

• One should not sleep in a place that does not have a fence of stones: “The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that one sleep on a rooftop that does not have any fence.” [At-Tirmidhi]

• Sleeping early: ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) was asked: “How were the prayers of the Prophet
  (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) at night?” She said: “He used to sleep early at night.” [Al-Bukhaari]

• Washing the hands: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When one of you sleeps and his hand has grease (ghamar) and he did not wash it, he should only blame himself for anything that happens.” [Abu Dawoud and at-Tirmidhi] (Ghamar is the grease or fat that sticks on the hand because of eating meat. Harm may reach him from the insects or poisonous creatures while one is sleeping due to fetidness. It is said that harm could reach him from demons).

• Performing ablution and sleeping on the right side: Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When you want to go to bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lie down on your right side.” [Agreed upon]

• Offering Witr prayer before going to sleep: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “My
  friend (the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)) advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die. These are: to fast three days every month, to offer the Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.” [Agreed upon]

• Writing a will: Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If any Muslim has anything that he wants to leave behind (a bequest) he should not allow two nights to pass without his will being written.” [Agreed upon]

• Closing the doors, covering the utensils and switching off the lights:  The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Extinguish your lamps when you sleep, close the doors, tie the mouth of your water-skin, cover your containers and utensils. Cover them even by placing something over them.” [Al-Bukhaari]

• Putting out the fire: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not leave any fires kindled in your houses when you go to sleep.” [Agreed upon]

• Wearing Kohl (Ithmid): Ibn Maajah narrated in his Sunan that Ibn ‘Abbaas  (May Allah be pleased with them) related from the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: “Use Ithmid (antimony), because it clears the sight and causes the eyelashes to grow.” [At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibban, At-Tabarani and Abu Na’eem and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jamie’ # 4056 ]

• Dusting off the bed: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When anyone of you go to bed, he should dust off his bed with the inside of his waist sheet, for he does not know what has come on it after him.” [Al-Bukhaari]

• Putting one’s hand below one’s cheek: “When the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would go to bed at night, he would put his hand under his cheek.” [Al-Bukhaari]

• To have the intention of waking up for the Night prayers: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to bed with the intention of waking up for the night prayers, and he did not wake up till morning, it will be written for him (the reward of) what he intended and his sleep would be a Sadaqa (a gift, a charity) from Allah the Great and Mighty.” [An-Nasa’i]

• Preparing the Siwak (toothstick) before one sleeps: Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
  “The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would sleep  after putting the Siwak close to him, so that when he woke up, he would start cleaning his teeth.” [Ahmad]

• Hoping for the reward from one’s sleep: A Muslim should change his habits into acts of worship, thereby gaining many rewards. And that is by following the etiquette and manners that are ordained by the Islamic law.

• To repent before sleeping: A Muslim has to ensure that he repents before he sleeps, and any woman should ensure that her husband is pleased with her before he sleeps. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If a woman spends the night deserting her husband’s bed (does not sleep with him), then the angels send their curses on her till she comes back (to her husband).” [Al-Bukhaari]

Man should repent, because sleeping is a minor death and it might be his last sleep.

Supplication to be said when waking up at night 

The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever gets up at night and says

لا إِله إِلّا الله وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ المُلْكَُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَدِير ، الْحَمْدُ لِله وسُبْحَان الله ولا إِلَه إِلّا الله والله أَكْبَر ولا حَوْلَ ولا قُوَّةَ إِلا بالله العَِليّ العَظِيم

‘La ilaha illAllaah Wahdahu la sharika lahu Lahul-mulk, wa Lahu-l-hamdu wahuwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer. Alhamdu lillaahi wa subhanAllaahi wa laa-ilaha illAllaah wa-Allaahu akbar wa la hawla wala quwwata illa billahil-‘Aliyy-ul-‘Adheem.’

“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All glory is for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Allah is the Greatest. And there is neither might nor power except with Allah the Most High, the Most Great,”

and then says:

اللهم اغفر لي

‘Allaahumma, Ighfir lee’

‘O Allah! Forgive me.’ Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Supplication to be said at the time of retiring to bed

من قعد مقعدا لم يذكر الله فيه كانت عليه من الله ترة

ومن اضطجع مضجعا لا يذكر الله فيه كانت عليه من الله ترة يوم القيامة

The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If anyone sits in a gathering where he does not remember Allah, he will bring grief upon himself (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who lies down in a place where he does not remember Allah, will bring grief upon himself on the Day of Resurrection.” [Abu Dawoud]

Therefore, a Muslim should do his best to maintain his supplications at bedtime before he goes to sleep so that his sleep will not be a grief and regret upon him on the Day of Judgment.

1) Reciting  “Ayat-ul-Kursi” (Al-Baqarah 2:255):

إذا أويت إلى فراشك فاقرأ آية الكرسي لن يزال عليك من الله حافظ ولا يقربك شيطان حتى تصبح

The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whenever you go to bed, recite ‘Ayat-ul-Kursi’

‘Allaahu laa ilaaha illa Huwal-Haiyyul-Qaiyoom’ till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so,) Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning.” [Al-Bukhaari]

2) Reciting the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah.

The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, they would suffice him.” [Agreed upon

3) Reciting Surat al-Ikhlas (chapter 112) and the Mu’awwidhaat (chapters 113-114):

‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated: “Whenever Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) went to bed, he used to blow on his hands while reciting Surat al-Ikhlas and Mu’awwidhaat ( i.e. Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas, 113 and 114) and then he would pass his hands over his body, starting at his head, his face and then the body. And he did that three times.” [Al-Bukhaari]

4) Reciting Surat al-Mulk (chapter 67) and as-Sajdah (chapter 32):

“The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not sleep until he read “Alif-lam-Mim/as-Sajdah” and “Tabarak alladhi biyadihil-Mulk.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

5) Reciting Surat al-Israa’ (chapter 17) and az-Zumar (chapter 39):

“The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not sleep until he read ‘Bani Israel’ (i.e. Surat al-Isra’) and ‘az-Zumar.’” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

6) Surat al-Kafiroon (chapter 109):

Farwah ibn Nowfal (May Allah be pleased with him)narrated that his father came to the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, teach me what to say when I go to bed.” He (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Recite ‘Qul ya ayyuhal-Kafiroon’ as it is free from polytheism.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

7) Al-Musabbihaat:

“The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite al-Musabbihaat before going to sleep, and said: ‘They contain a verse which is better than a thousand verses.’” [At-Tirmidhi]

Al-Musabbihaat are the Suras that start with ‘Sabbaha’ such as: al-Israa’ (chapter 17), al-Hadeed (chapter 57), al-Hashr (chapter 59), as-Saf (chapter 61), al-Jumu’a (chapter 62), at-Taghabun (chapter 64), and al-A’la (chapter 87).

8) The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her):

“إذا أخذتما مضجعكما فكبّرا الله أربعًا وثلاثين واحمدا الله ثلاثاً وثلاثين وسَبِّحا ثلاثًا وثلاثين …..”

“When you (both) go to your beds, say ‘Allaahu Akbar’ thirty-four times, and ‘Subhan Allaah’ thirty-three times, and ‘Alhamdu lillah’ thirty-three times.” [Agreed upon]

                                                  بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمَوُتُ وَأَحْيَا

 “Bismika Allaahumma amootu wa ahya (With Your Name, O Allah, I die and I live).”  [Al-Bukhaari]

9) When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to go to sleep, he would put his right hand under his cheek and would then say:

اللّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَجْمَعَ أَو تَبْعَثَ عبادك

“Allaahumma qinee ‘adhaabaka yawma tajma’a aw tab’ath ‘ebaadak”

“O Allah, guard me from Your punishment on the Day when You gather up/ resurrect Your servants.” [At-Tirmidhi]

10) الحَمْدُ لِله الّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَكَفَانَا وآَوَانَا فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لا كَافِي لَهُ وَلَاَ مُؤْوِي                            ِ

“Al-Hamdulillah alladhee at’amanaa wa saqaanaa wa kafaanaa wa aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafee lahu walaa mu’wee

“Praise is due to Allah Who fed us, provided us drink, sufficed us and provided us with shelter, for how many people there is none to suffice and none to provide shelter.“ [Muslim]

11) When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) went to his bed, he would say:

الحَمْدُ لِله الذِيِ كَفَانِي وَآَوانِي وَأَطْعَمَنِي وَسَقَانَي والذي مَنَّ عَلَّي فَأفْضَلَ وَالذي أَعْطَاني فَأَجْزَلَ الحَمْدُ لِله عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ اللَّهَّم رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيٍء وَمَلِيكَها وَإِله كُلِّ شَيٍء أَعُوُذُ بِكَ مِنَ النار

“Al-Hamdulillah allatheee kafaanee wa aawaanee wa at’amanee wa saqaanee walladhee manna ‘alayya fa-afdala walladhee a’taanee fa-ajzala, al-Hamdulillah ‘alaa kulli ‘haal. Allaahumma Rabba kulli shayin wa Maleekaha, wa ilaaha kulli shay’, a’oudhu bika min-naar.” 

 “Praise be to Allah Who has given me sufficiency, has guarded me, given me food and drink, been most gracious to me, and given to me, most lavishly. Praise be to Allah in every circumstance. O Allah! Lord and King of everything, God of everything, I seek refuge in You from Hell.” [Abu Dawoud]

12) اللَّهُمَّ خَلَقْتَ نَفَسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا لَكَ مَمَاتَها وَمَحْيَاهَا إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَها فَاحْفَظْهَا وَإِن أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِر لَها اللَّهم إِنِّي أَسْأَلْكَ العافية

Allaahumma khalaqta nafsee wa anta tawaffaahaa, laka mamaatahaa wa mahyaahaa, in ahyaytahaa fah-fadh-haa, wa in ammattahaa fagh-firlahaa. Allaahumma inni as-alukal-aafiyah.

“O Allah, You created my being and it is for You to take it to its ultimate goal. And its death and life is due to You, and if You give it life, safeguard it; and if You bring death, grant it pardon. O Allah, I beg of Your safety.”

A person said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar  (May Allah be pleased with them): “Did you hear it from ‘Umar?” Thereupon he said: (I have heard it from one) who is better than ‘Umar, viz. from Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).” [Muslim]

13) اللهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوات وَرَبَّ الَأْرضِ وَرَبَّ العَرْش العَظيم رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلَّ شَيءٍ فَالق الحَبِّ وَالنَّوَىَ وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاة وَالإنْجيل والفُرْقانِ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِن شَرِّ كُلِّ شَيء أَنْتَ آَخِذٌ بنِاصِيَتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيءٌ وَأنْتَ الآَخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيءٌ وأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيءٌ وَأَنْتََ البَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُوَنَكَ شَيءٌ اقْض عَنّا الدّيْن وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الفَقْر.

Allaahumma Rabbas-Samaawaati wa Rabbal-Ardi, wa Rabbal-‘Arshil-Adheem. Rabbana wa Rabba kulli shay’in, Faaliqal-habbi wan-nawaa, wa Munzilat-Tawraati wal-Injeeli wal-Furqaani, a’oudhu bika min sharri kulli shay’in Anta aakhidhun binaasiyatihi. Allaahumma antal-awwalu falaysa qablaka shay’un, wa Antal-Akhiru falaysa ba’daka shay’un, wa Antadh-Dhaahiru falyasa fawqaka shay’un wa Antal-Baatinu falyasa doonaka shay’un ‘eqdi annad-dayn wa aghninaa minal-faqri

“O Allah, the ‘Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Earth’ and ‘Lord of the Magnificent Throne,’ ‘our Lord’, and the Lord of everything, the ‘Splitter of the Grain of Corn and the Date Stone’ (or fruit kernel), the ‘Revealer of the Torah and Injeel (the Gospel) and the Criterion’ (the Holy Qur’an), I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything You seize by the forelock (You have perfect control over it). O Allah, you are ‘The First’, there is nothing before You, and You are ‘The Last’ and there is nothing after You, and You are ‘The Most High’ and there is nothing above You, and You are ‘The Most Near’ and there is nothing nearer than You. Remove the burden of debt from us and relieve us from want.” [Muslim]

14) Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “He who utters these words before going to sleep:

لا إِلهَ إِلّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كَلِّ شيءٍ قَدِير ، وَلا حَوْلَ ولا قُوَّةَ إِلا بالله ، سُبْحَانَ الله والحَمْدُ لله ولا إِله إلا الله والله أكبر

‘Laa ilaha illa-Allaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘alla kullu shay’in Qadeer, wa laa hawla walaa quwwata illa billah, Subhan-Allaah, wal-Hamdulillah, wa laailaha illa-Allaah, wa Allaahu Akbar.’

‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. And there is neither might nor power except with Allah. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Allah is the Greatest!’

–         all his sins are forgiven even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.”

[Ibn Hibban]

15) الّلهُمَّ عَالِمَ الَغْيبِ وَالشَّهَادَة فَاطِرَ السَّماوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إله إلا أنت أَعوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشِّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ

Allaahumma ‘Aalimal-Ghaibi wash-Shahaadati, Faatiras-Samaawaati wal-Ard, Rabba kulli shay’in wa Maleekahu, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa anta, a’oudhu bika min sharri nafsi wa min sharrish shaytaani wa shirkih.

“O Allah, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Who Knows the Unseen and the Seen, Lord and Possessor of Everything. I testify that there is no god but You; I seek refuge in You from the evil within myself, from the evil of the devil, and his (incitement to) attributing partners (to Allah).”

He (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Say it when you get up in the morning, and at night, and when you retire to your bed before you sleep.“ [Abu Dawoud and at-Tirmidhi]

 

16) الَّلهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهي إِلَيْكَ وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْري إِلَيْكَ وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِيِ إلَيْكَ رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ لَا مَلْجَأْ وَلاَ مَنْجًا مِنْكَ إِلّا إِلَيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ آَمَنْتُ بِكَتِابِكَ الّذِي اَنْزَلْتَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الذي أَرْسَلْتَ

‘Allaahumma aslamtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadhtu amri ilaika wa alja’tu dhahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’ wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Allaahumma aamantu bikitabikalladhi anzalta wa bi nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta.’

“O Allah, I turn my face towards You and entrust my affairs to You. I retreat unto You for protection, with hope in You and fear of You. There is no resort and no deliverer (from hardship) but You only. I affirm my faith in Your Book which You revealed and in Your Prophet whom You sent.”

If you should die then (after reciting this) you will die on the religion of Islam (i.e., as a Muslim); so let these words be the last you say (before going to bed). Al-Baraa’ (May Allah be pleased with him)said: “While I was memorizing it, I said, ‘Wa birasoolikal-ladhi arsalta (‘I affirm my faith in Your Messenger (Rasool) whom You sent’). The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No, but say: ‘Wa bi nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta’ (‘I affirm my faith in the Prophet (Nabi) whom You sent’).”

“Make these the last words of yours (when you go to sleep) and in case you die during that night, you would die upon Fitrah (upon Islam).” Al-Baraa’ (May Allah be pleased with him)said: “I repeated these words in order to commit them to memory, I said: ‘I affirm my faith in Your Messenger (Rasool) whom You sent.’ He (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Say: ‘I affirm my faith in the Prophet (Nabi) whom You sent.'” [Agreed upon]

17)   بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّ وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِيِ فَارْحَمْهَا وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَها فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الَصّالِحين

Bismika Rabbi wada’tu Janbi wa bika arfa’uh, in amsakta nafsee farhamhaa wa in arsaltaha fah-fadh-ha bima tah-fadhu bihi ‘Ebadakas-saliheen.

“In Your Name, o my Lord. It is with Your (Grace) that I place my side (upon the bed) and it is with You that I rise (after sleep), and in case You withhold myself (if You cause me to die), then grant pardon to me, and if You keep (this process of breathing on), then protect it with that with which You protected Your pious servants.” [Agreed upon]

 

Sleeping postures

First posture: Sleeping on the stomach: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “This is a posture that Allah does not like.” [At-Tirmidhi]

After lying on the stomach for some time, it becomes hard to breathe because the chest expands and contracts with much difficulty with every inhalation and exhalation. It has been noticed that there has been an increasing rate of death among babies that sleep/ lie on their stomach.

Also, this posture is a cause of wet dreams for a man due to the friction of the male organ which arouses the sexual desire and makes it difficult for him to sleep.

 Second posture: Sleeping on the back: This posture causes one to breathe from his mouth because it opens due to the slackening of the lower jaw. Breathing through the mouth is not natural, because the hairs in the nose filter the air and warm it as it goes through a longer passage than when it goes through the mouth.  People who breathe through their noses are less prone to get colds, especially in winter. In addition, breathing through the mouth causes dryness of the gums thereby causing the gums to swell leading to the accumulation of plaque on them.  Considering that we spend one third of our lives sleeping, sleeping on the back could be dangerous to our health.

Third posture: Sleeping on the left side: Doctors have conducted experiments that prove that the time that it takes for the food to pass from the stomach to the intestines is between   two and a half hours to four hours in a person who is sleeping on his right side; whereas for a person sleeping on his left side, it takes between five to eight hours, i.e. double the time. The reason for that is that the liver, which is bigger than the stomach, is on the right side, and sleeping on the left side causes the liver to press on the stomach, thus delaying the process of digestion.

The heart is on the left side of the body, so sleeping on the left side causes the right lung, which is bigger than the left one, to press the heart and decrease its activity; and the liver, which is on the right side of the body, and which is the heaviest organ, stays hanging unsupported.

Fourth posture: sleeping on the right side: This is the correct posture, because the left lung is smaller than the right lung, so the heart and the liver are supported and the stomach is relaxed not compressed, therefore a person wakes up energetic, and this is what was mentioned in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). 

Bedtime (when to sleep)

A little after Isha’: Narrated al-Aswad (May Allah be pleased with him): I asked ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her): “How was the night prayer of the Prophet?” She replied, “He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Mu’adh-dhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he was in need of a bath he would take it; otherwise he would perform ablution and then go out (for the prayer).” [Al-Bukhaari]

The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade people to sleep before Isha’: “Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) disliked to sleep before the ‘Isha’ prayer or to talk after it.” [Agreed upon]

The scholars have mentioned some times that are not recommended to sleep: Narrated Khawat ibn Jubair (May Allah be pleased with him : “Sleeping at the beginning of the day is Kharq (violation) and in the middle of the day is Khuluq (manner) and at the end of the day it is Hamq (foolishness).” [Al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad]

Sleeping that is Kharq: It means it is ignorance, because it is sleeping in the early hours of the day, when people are managing their affairs and livelihood while he is sleeping.

Sleeping that is Khuluq: It is the nap in the middle of the day.

Sleeping that is Hamq: It is when one sleeps when the call for prayer is made.

 

Supplication when waking up from sleep:

• When the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would wake up from sleep he used to say,

الحَمْدُ لِله الّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْد ما أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُور

“Al-Hamdu lillahilladhi ahyaana ba’da ma amaatana, wa ilaihin-nushoor.

“Praise is due to Allah, Who gave us life after our death (sleep) and unto Him is the resurrection.” [Muslim]

• The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “…. When he gets up let him say:

الحَمْدُ لِله الّذِي عَافَانِي في جَسَدِي وَرَدَّ عَليَّ رُوحِي وَأَذِنَ لِي بِذِكْرِه

Al-Hamdu lillahi alladhi ‘aafaani fee Jasadee wa radda ‘alyya Roohee wa adhina lee bidhikrihi.

“All praise is due to Allah Who gave me well-being in my body and returned to me my soul and allowed me to remember Him.” [Agreed upon]

Washing the face and nose when one gets up:                                                                                                  

• Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)narrated  that Allah’s Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If anyone of you performs ablution he should put water in his nose and then blow it out and whoever cleans his private parts with stones should do so with an odd number. And whoever wakes up from his sleep should wash his hands before putting them in the water for ablution, because nobody knows where his hands were during sleep.” [Agreed upon