Praise be to Allah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be showered upon our Beloved Messenger, his family, companions, and those who follow them.
We spend about one-third of our lives asleep because sleep is a behavioral state that is a natural part of every individual’s life.
Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, describes sleep in Al-Qur’an as a blessing from Him :
“And We made your sleep a rest for you.” [Surah al-Naba’: 9]
“It is Allah who has made the night for you, that you may rest therein, and the days as that which helps you to see. Verily Allah is full of grace and bounty to humanity, yet most people give no thanks.” [Surah Ghafir: 61]
“It is He who made for you the night for rest and the day for sight (i.e., to see your way and do your work). Indeed in that are signs for those who listen (to the truth)”. [Quran Surah Yunus (10):67].
“It is He who has made the night for you as a cover, and sleep as a (means for) resting, and has made the day for rising (from the death-like sleep)”. [Quran Surah Al-Furqan (25):47].
Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, guided Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, regarding the ethics of sleeping. As Muslims, we should follow Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, and his way of sleep too because he has set an excellent pattern for us.
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [Qur’an Surah Al-‘Ahzab (33) :21].
Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, used to perform ablution before going to sleep and would sleep on his right side, putting his right hand on his right cheek, and this is what Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, recommended others to do.
“Whenever you go to bed perform ablution like that for the prayer, lie or your right side. Then if you die on that very night, you will die with faith (i.e. or the religion of Islam). Let the aforesaid words be your last utterance (before sleep) “ [Narrated by Bukhari].
According to a saheeh hadith narrated from al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib, Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, said:
“When you go to bed, do wudoo’ as if for prayer, then lie down on your right side…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Wudoo’, 239).
‘A’isha, Radhiallahu ‘anha, said, ” Rasulullah Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, used to pray eleven rak’ats at night. When it was dawn, he would pray two quick rak’ats and then lie on his right side until the mu’adhdhin came and gave the adhan.” [Agreed upon-muttafaq ‘alaihi]
It is Sunnah also to put one’s right hand under one’s cheek. It was narrated that Hudhayfah, Radhiallahu ‘anhu, said,
“When Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, went to bed at night, he would put his hand under his cheek, then say, ‘Allaahumma bismika amuutu wa ahyaa (O Allah, in Your name I die and I live).’ Then when he woke up he would say, ‘Alhamdu Lillaah alladhi ahyaanaa ba’da ma amaatanaa wa ilayhi al-nushuur (Praise be to Allaah who has brought us back to life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection).’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6314).
Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, 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, Radhiallahu ‘anhu, 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, Radhiallahu ‘anhu, that, Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, said; “Do not lie like this, for this is how the people of Hell lie.”
(Reported by Ahmad, al-Fath al-Rabbaani, 14/244-245; by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2798, Shaakir edn.; and by Abu Dawood, al-Sunan, Kitaab al-Adab, no. 5040, al-Da’aas edn. Also reported in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2270-2271).
Today medical science tells us that the best healthy sleeping positions are on your back or on your right side and not on the left side and stomach. We (Muslims) were told this 1600 years ago by our beloved, Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam. Subhanallah.
Sleeping on the right side does not allow the weight of the stomach and intestine to suppress the heart, hence blood circulation is not affected. By sleeping on the right side, the heart remains on the topside and one will not have a deep sleep. A little noise can prepare someone to face any contingency. It also develops the habit of early morning rise.
Sleeping on your left side may be bad for your heart. This is especially true for those who are suffering from chronic heart failure or have had a heart attack. Sleeping on your left side will decrease the sympathetic nervous activity in your body. This activity normally controls blood pressure and the heart rate.
When lying on your right side, you may lower your blood pressure and heart rate, which is good for individuals suffering from heart conditions. Lying on the left side decreases your heart’s ability to function properly.
Imam Shafi’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 worshipers,
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, on our right side, as there are many benefits from Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, including health benefits and for sure we can achieve a peacefully relaxing sleep if we follow the example of Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, and we will be rewarded for that. Sleeping on one’s left side is permitted, but one misses out on the reward from following the Sunnah.
Our beloved Rasulullah, Shalallahu ‘alaihi Wa sallam, was aware of this, back in his time. Without doubt he is the best example for all of us to follow in all aspects. And Allah knows best. Subhanallah.
Whatever is written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever is of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. May Allah guide all of us to the right path.
