In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 ‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), all his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                     -Aameen.

Sunnats of the Night (Continuation)

S.31. To keep the musalla (prayer mat) for tahajjud prayer besides the head before sleeping. (Nisa’i)

S.32. To comb the hair before sleeping. (S.K.-Vol. 1: Pg. 341)

S.33. Postures of sleeping:

a) To sleep on the right side facing towards the qibla. 

This is the Sunnah of Nabi (S.A.W) and the method of the ulama. This is the best manner of sleeping.

b) To sleep on ones back. This is the method of the prophets.

They used to lie in this fashion and ponder about the creation of Allah. This method of sleeping is permissible as long as there is no fear of exposing ones satr, i.e. those parts of the body that are compulsory to be covered all the time.

c) To lie on the left side. It assist’s in digestion. 

This is the manner in which the kings and the rich used to sleep. This method of sleeping is allowed but not preferable.

d) To sleep on one’s stomach. This is the satan’s method of sleeping and that of the dweller of hell. 

This method of sleeping is prohibited. (S.K. - Vol. l : Pg. 346)

S.34. One should not sleep in any such place that could become a means of inconvenience to others.

e.g. a. on any road or pathway;

b. in front of doorways;

c. in the midst of a gathering, etc. (S.K. - Vol. l : Pg. 347)

S.35. Hazrat ‘Aa’isha (R.A.) narrates that if Nabi was in need of ghusl (Bath) then he used to do the following before sleeping:

a. Wash his private parts;

b. Make Wudu if water was available; and

c. If water was not available he used to make tayyamum. (Baihaqi- S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 347)

S.36. Nabi (S.A.W) prohibited sleeping all alone in any house, flat, etc. (Ahmad- S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 349)

Note: Some benefits of this advise are:

a. If people are around, even due to loneliness one would not feel afraid.

b. In the event of any freak accident or occurrence, help would be at hand.

c. Loneliness affects sound sleep.

S.37. Our Nabi (S.A.W) prohibited sleeping on such a roof top that does not have a safety wall. (Abu Dawud- S.K.-Vol. 1: Pg. 349)

S.38. Nabi (S.A.W) has advised not to sleep with dirty hands. (Abu Dawud- S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 350)

S.39. Our Prophet (S.A.W) has also advised that the hands should be washed after relieving oneself and before going to bed. (Ibn Majah - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 348)

S.40. It is not advisable to sleep immediately after eating as this is a means of one’s heart hardening. Rather one should engage in some form of worship like Salah or zikr before sleeping. (Tabrani-S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 351)

S .41. One should not sleep after ‘ Asar. The one who sleeps after ‘Asar has only oneself to blame if one suffers from a mental imbalance. (S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 351)

S.42. One should not sleep before sunrise (After Fajr Salah). This invites poverty.

(At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 352)

S.43. Nabi (S.A.W) said that satan urinates in the ear of that person who does not read Fajr and sleeps until sunrise. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 353)

S.44. Our Prophet (S.A.W) disliked the sleeping after Maghrib, before ‘Esha Salah. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 354)

Note: It will not be disliked if due to extreme tiredness one sleeps after having made some arrangements to ensure that one will not omit the 'Esha Salah.

S.45. Hazrat Aa’isha (R.A.) has reported that Nabi (S.A.W) would not read Salaah in those clothing which he wore while sleeping with his family. (Tahawe-S.K. Vol. 1 : Pg.355)

S.46. It is Sunnah to sleep immediately after 'Esha.  (Musnad Ahmad)

S.47. Hazrat Aa’isha (R.A.) narrates that Nabi (S.A.W) used to sleep early at night and wake very early to engage in worship. (Bukhari)

Note: It is permissible to engage in teaching and learning etc. after 'Esha Salah. (S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg.358)

S.48. Hazrat Aa’isha (R. A.) used to prepare three containers with lids each night for Nabi (S.A.W). These containers were for: 

a. Wudu water; 

b. Miswak; 

c. Water for drinking. (Ibn Majah-S.K.-Vol. 1 :Pg.360)

S.49. Hazrat Aa’isha (R.A.) has reported that Nabi (S.A.W) used to awaken at night for worship (ibadat) when the cock began to crow. The ulama have explained that the waking up time would thus translate into any of the following: 

a. Slightly before the passing of half of the night;

b. At the passing of half of the night;

c. A little while after the passing of half of the night. (Bukhari-S.K. - Vol. 1 :Pg.361)

S. 50. It is narrated that the night of our beloved Nabi (S.A.W) was divided into the following parts:

a. Half the night sleeping;

b. One third of the night in worship;

c. The remaining one sixth of the night before subho sadiq (early dawn) in resting.

(Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 361)

Note: This was the general practice. Sometimes Nabi (S.A.W) began making ibaadat (worship) immediately after the ‘esha salaah and rested thereafter.

S.51. Nabi (S.A.W) began sleeping outdoors in summer from Friday night and he commenced sleeping indoors in winter also on a Friday night. (S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 365)

S.52. The sleeping in the Masjid of Nabi (S.A.W) and the Sahabas (R.A.) (besides Ia’tikaf) is recorded in the books of Ahadith. (Bukhari-S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 365)

S.53. If one enters any place where any person is sleeping then one should greet in such a tone that the one sleeping does not wake up and the one awake may hear. (S.K. - Vol. l : Pg. 368)

S.54. It is Sunnah to have a nap (siesta) during the day. This helps in the worship at night, as one will be fresh. (S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 368-369)

S.55. The siesta time on Fridays is after the Jumu'ah Salaah. The sequence on Fridays is as follows :

a. Jumuah salaah;

b. Lunch;

c. Siesta (Qailullah) (S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 368)

S.56. Nabi (S.A.W) has said that we should take the afternoon nap as Satan does not do so. (Kanzul ‘Ummal- S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 369).

Note: Siesta (Qailullah) refers to the resting after lunch, whether one falls of to sleep or not.

S.57. To sleep with the intention of getting up for tahajjud. (Nisa ’i)

S.58. To read tahajjud Salaah before subho sadiq (early dawn).(Mishkaat)

S.59. Our Nabi (S.A.W) read so long rakats in his optional (Nafl) Salah that his blessed feet became swollen. (S.K.-Vol. 4 :Pg. 429)

Note: Whilst reciting Qur’aan in Salah, Our Nabi (S.A.W) used to cry excessively (a lot) to which a sizzling sound used to emanate (come out) from his chest as if a pot is boiling. This was his fear of Allah.

Note: For Tahajjud, to read at least 2 rakaats and a maximum of 12 rakah. This is sunnat. However, there is no limit for Nafl. As many rak‘ats desired could be read. One may also make Zikr, tilawat and it is a permissible to sleep, provided only that one ensures that the fajr Salah is not missed.

S.60. Hazrat Zaid ibn Thabit (R.A.) complained to Nabi (S.A.W) about his sleepless nights. Nabi (S.A.W) advised him to read the following Du’a:

"Allahumma Ghaaratin-nujuumu WaHada-atil ‘Uyuunu Wa Anta Hayyun Qayyoom. Laa-ta khuzuka Sinatuw Wala nawm Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyumu Ahdi' Lailii Wa Anim ‘Ainii."

O Allah! the stars have sunk in and the eyes have become tranquil and quiet and You are Alive and Everlasting neither does slumber nor sleep overcomes You. O the Living and Everlasting One! make my nights tranquil and give my eyes sleep. 

(IbnSunni-S.K.-Vol. 1 :Pg .41)

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A/N ;)

Ah I fell in love with that Dua, isn't it so lovely Masha Allah? ;))) Though I sleep well Alhamdulillah, still am gonna include it Insha Allah in my list of Duas which I recite before going to sleep...what do you say?

And yes if there are any doubts please ask, I would love to be of help Insha Allah ;)

With Duas and Salaam,

abdurRahman (Gudi ;))