Sleeping is similar to death. That is why sleeping has been linked to death,

and waking with life. When preparing to sleep we should fear that may be our

eyes close and do not open again. This has happened many times ; hence we should

ask Allah (The Exalted) for forgiveness of our sins as it is not good to do

so without.

The pious would sleep little as the time spent in sleep is of no use. Only if

we are successful and able to understand to reality of our life. For instance

if someone has a life of 60 years and sleeps for 8 hours a day then we would

have spend 20 years in sleep, that’s 1/3 of the life spent in sleeping. In these

20 years we did not achieve anything, however, if we spend our sleeping in the

way of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) then Inshallah

we will gain some benefit as this will become worship.

Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy upon him) states that those who can not

stay awake and worship and are engaged in sin. When completed the necessities

such as Salaah etc. it is superior for them to go to sleep. At least one will

abstain from sin. In a hadith it states to the nearest meaning that until a

person is asleep the pen of deeds is lifted, meaning one is not bound by the

Shariah.

After Isha

After the Isha congregational prayer, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless

him and grant him peace) would see the companions off before returning home

himself. At his bed side, he would keep the following items; a Surma bottle

(eye colouring), a comb, some oil, a pair of scissors, a Miswak, a mat or a

folded cloth to lie on, a mirror and a wooden stick.

Safety Check

Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a house in Madinah with

the inhabitants inside set on fire. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless

him and grant him peace) was informed about this and he said, ‘The fire is your

enemy, this is why when you prepare for sleeping put it out.’

We should make sure that any appliances are not left on. The Messenger of Allah

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is teaching us how to live, those

who follow him will succeed.

Recite Bismillah

According to the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who

said that, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)

said that, ‘Recite Bismillah whilst closing the doors and cover any utensils

i.e. water, food, etc. and switch off the light i.e. not leave it burning or

the utensils open so the Shaytan can not come in or use the utensils.’ The reason

is that something may fall inside the foodstuff & if candles are left lit

it may catch fire.

Wudhu Before Sleeping

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that,

‘When a person sleeps with wudhu, Allah (The Exalted) gives permission to his

soul to circumambulate the ‘Arsh and bow to Allah (The Exalted). Whilst sleeping

in the state of wudhu, the reward of worship is being written for you in your

book of deeds all night. Subhanallah!

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of

Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘When one of you goes

to bed then with the edge of your lower garment (or the edge of the duvet) clean

to bed, what were you to know what is in the bed.’

One may ask the question, why do we need to do this because they lived in a

hot country and there is a chance small animal/creatures such as a snake or

scorpion etc. may seek refuge, we don’t have this problem here neither do we

have sand or dust particles getting into our bed’ I say that the Sunnah is for

all mankind no matter who or where you are. Those who live in these climates

and conditions can use this method and those who live in cold climates can use

it too as there are other insects like bed mites which the visible eye can not

see which can harm. Then to clean the bed is a great Sunnah and no matter where

in the world you may be, one can practise it, Subhanallah!

Angel & The Devil

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that,

‘When a person enters his bed (to sleep), an angel and a devil surround him.

The devil whispers ‘Your awakening will end in evil’ and the angel says ‘ends

in good.’ But if one sleeps after engaging in remembrance of Allah (The Exalted)

the angels will protect him throughout the night.’

Going on One’s Stomach

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) never laid

on his stomach and if he saw anyone doing so he would wake them up by his feet

and be very upset.

Ya’eesh bin Tighfat Gafari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from his

father that he states, ‘I was reclining in the mosque on my stomach (due to

chest pains), suddenly a person nudged me with his feet and said, ‘To lie down

like this is disliked by Allah (The Exalted).’ When I turned to see who it was,

I saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).’

In another similar hadith narrated by Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him

it states; ‘It is the way of the people from Hell.’ Meaning either the non-Muslims

recline like this or the people of Hell fire will recline like this.

Imam Shafa’i (may Allah have mercy upon him) states that there are four types

of sleep;

1. One is to lie on the back this is the sleep of the Prophets,

2. One is to sleep on the right side which is the sleep of the worshippers,

3. One is to sleep on the left which is the sleep of the rulers

4. And one is to sleep on the stomach that is the sleep of the devil.

We should sleep according to the Sunnah as there are many benefits including

health benefits.

The Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Bed

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with he), states that, ‘The Messenger of Allah’s

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) bed was made of animal skin, which

had leaves of date trees.’

Imam Muhammad Al-Baaqir (may Allah be pleased with him) says that, ‘Someone

asked ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), ‘How was the bed of the Messenger

of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)” She replied, ‘It was made

of leather, in which was filled the coir of the date palm.”

Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked how was the bed of the Messenger

of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in your house” she replied:

‘It was a canvas folded into two, which was spread for the Messenger of Allah

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to sleep on. On one night I thought

if I folded it into four and spread it, it would become softer. I folded it

and spread it that way. In the morning the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless

him and grant him peace) asked: ‘What did you spread for me last night” I replied:

‘It was the same bed; I only folded it into four so that it may become softer’.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: ‘Leave

it in its original form. Its softness deprived me of my prayers (Tahajjud) at

night.’

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, ‘The Messenger of Allah

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was sleeping on a mat, the marks of

the mat were left on his blessed side. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (may Allah

bless him and grant him peace) only if you would sleep on something better than

this’. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, ‘What

have I to gain in this world, this world is like as if a traveller is travelling

in the sun and he sits under a tree and gets up and goes.”’

Look at the simplicity of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant

him peace) and we sleep on the best mattress available. There is no problem

in sleeping on a good bed; however, you should make sure to wake up for Fajr

Salaah. Unfortunately people stay in their comfortable beds and miss their Salaah

but when it comes to waking up for work we will not miss a day. We should try

to sleep on the floor at times following the Sunnah, Inshallah; you will not

have a problem waking up for Salaah.

The Pillow

Abu Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that, ‘If the Messenger

of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) made an early journey-break

in the last portion of the night on his travels, he slept on his right side.

If he was staying there till before the morning, he lifted his right arm, put

his head on it and slept.’

Meaning that he rested his blessed head on the inner part of his arm and the

hand would be near his back.

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah

bless him and grant him peace) forbade placing one leg on top of the other when

reclining on your back.

This is when you have one leg raised and the other leg over it as there is a

chance of the Satr being seen. There is no problem if both feet are stretched

out and one is on top of the other.

Supplication Position

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that, ‘When the Messenger of Allah

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would lie down every night on his

bed, he would raise his hands in the supplication position and pray. He would

recite Surah Ikhlas (Qulhuwallahu Ahad) three times, Surah Falaq (Qul A’oodhubi

Rabbil Falaq) once and Surah Naas (Qul A’oodhubi Rabbinnaas) once and blow on

his palms and wiping his hands over his blessed body where they could reach,

this was done thrice.’

How The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Slept

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would put his

blessed right hand under his blessed right cheek. He would lie on his blessed

right side facing the Qibla and rest on a pillow that was made from leaves of

a date tree.

Bara bin ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) reports; ‘When the Prophet (may

Allah bless him and grant him peace) retired, he put his right hand under his

right check’.

Supplication Before Sleeping

Hudhayfa (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, before the Prophet (may

Allah bless him and grant him peace) went to sleep he would place his right

hand under his cheek and pray this supplication:

‘Alla-humma Bis-mika Amu-tu Wa-Ahya’

‘O Allah (The Exalted) with Your name I die and I live’

Lesson From Supplication

In the hadith the meaning of living and dying is to awaken and sleep. In Your

name do I sleep and in Your name do I awake, meaning I do not stay headless

of You at any time, O Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability and this state,

Aameen.

The Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would talk to his wife

and whilst praising Allah (The Exalted) he would go to sleep. The Messenger’s

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) blessed eyes were closed but his heart

was always in the remembrance of his creator. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah

bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘My eyes sleep, but my heart does not sleep.’

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not sleep

until he recited Surah Sajdah and Surah Mulk.

For The Guest

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may

Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘For a man he has a bed for

himself, one for his wife, the third for a guest and the fourth is for Shaytan.

Sleeping After ‘Asr

Abu Ya’la narrates from ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet

(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Whosoever sleeps after ‘Asr

Salaah and loses their intellect, has only themselves to blame.’

To keep a spare bed is permissible for a guest; however, to have more then

necessary leads to pride and arrogance due to excess wealth as this is from

Shaytan. It is Shaytan who places evil whispers in us, hence we should abstain

from having anything in access.

Die as a Muslim

Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger

of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘O so-and-so,

whenever you go to your bed (for sleeping) say, ‘O Allah (The Exalted)! I have

surrendered myself over to you and have turned my face towards You, and leave

all my affairs to You and depend on You and put my trust in You expecting Your

reward and fearing Your punishment. There is neither fleeing from You nor refuge

but with You. I believe in the Book (Qur’an) which You have revealed and in

Your Prophet (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) whom You have

sent.’ If you die that night, you will die as a Muslim, and if you wake up in

the morning you will receive the reward.’

Zaid bin Thabit complained to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and

grant him peace) about his sleepless nights. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah

bless him and grant him peace) advised him to read the following supplication:

O Allah (The Exalted) the stars have sunk in and the eyes have become tranquil

and quiet and You are alive and everlasting neither does sleep overcome You.

O! The live and everlasting one make my night tranquil and give my eyes sleep.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Whoever

at the time of sleeping recites Ayat-ul-Kursi will themselves be protected and

his neighbour, to the extent your neighbour’s neighbour, and the houses surrounding

will be protected too.’

Sleepless Night

Once the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) spent a sleepless

night. He would turn from side to side and could not sleep. His wife asked him:

‘O Prophet of Allah! (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Why can you not

sleep” He responded, ‘A date was lying about. I took it up and ate it, lest

it should be wasted. Now I am troubled that it may be from Sadaqah (charity).’

Respected brothers/sisters of Islam! Before going to sleep we should think of

the sins we may have done and try our best not to do these again, repent and

ask for Allah’s guidance. If you want to spend your night in worship then sleep

the way our beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) slept

and offer Fajr Salaah with congregation. You will surely gain the reward of

worshipping all night even though you were sleeping.

Manners of Sleeping

1. One should recite ‘Bismillah’ whilst closing the doors and latching the lock.

2. Containers with foodstuff including water should be covered with the recitation

of ‘Bismillah’.

3. To put out any burning fire i.e. candles, fireplace etc..

4. To switch off or put out anything that may catch alight if left on.

5. To discuss, with members of the household, matters relating to Islam. For

example, by telling stories (of Sahabas, etc.) or simply talking about matters

that pleases the family but within the confines of Shariah.

6. To have available Surma and apply three times in the right and left eye.

7. It is desirable (Mustahab) to sleep with wudhu the Sunnah way.

8. To sleep in the state of purity, (i.e. with Wudhu and Ghusl if necessary).

If one has just made Wudhu prior to the sleep then it would not be necessary

to repeat the Wudhu. If one is not able to make Wudhu then tayammum (dry ablution)

will suffice.

9. To lay or spread the bed yourself.

10. To clean the bed three times with a cloth before sleeping.

11. When a child reaches the age of ten, he must not sleep in the same room

as his sister, mother or another woman except his wife.

12. For two men to sleep on one bed or in one blanket is not permissible, it

has been prohibited in the hadith.

13. A child of ten must not sleep in the same bed as the husband and wife.

14. The feet should not be facing towards Makkah or Madinah.

15. Before sleeping recite ‘Bismillah’ and the three Quls , and thereafter to

blow on the palms and rub three times on one’s entire body ‘ beginning from

the head and ending at the toes.

16. To use a pillow is Sunnah (to rest one’s head on).

17. The Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) disliked lying on

the stomach.

18. Do not have your feet facing the Qur’an or other religious books and if

the books are higher than the feet there is no problem.

19. To recite any Surah from the Qur’an one remembers, especially Surah Mulk

, Surah Sajdah , Surah Bani Israeel and Surah Zumar .

20. To recite Surah Waaqi’ah before sleeping as this safeguards one from hunger

and poverty.

21. To recite Tasbih-e-Fatima and Kalimah Tayyab once, before sleeping.

22. To keep a prayer mat for the Tahajjud prayer besides the head is a Sunnah.

23. When going to sleep, remember your grave as you will be sleeping on your

own with your deeds and no one will be there with you.

24. Remember Allah (The Exalted) because the state a person sleeps in is the

state in which one will wake up.

25. Do not sleep after ‘Asr as there is a chance of loosing the intellect and

it is disliked (Makrooh) to sleep in the beginning part of the morning and between

Maghrib and Isha.