6 Islamic Tips Regarding Sleeping and Bedtime Behavior
Sleep is the most important part of the life of a person. It is one of the greatest blessings of Allah Almighty that helps us all take ease and relieve all the pressure and worries that haunt us during the day. Although sleep might seem trivial to us, however, the importance of sleep can only be valued by people who have some disorder and cannot enjoy normal sleep as regular people do.
Having regular and sufficient is of grave importance for the health of a person, as in addition to replenishing the energy reserves and giving body rest, sleep also helps put our mind to ease that is exposed to all sorts of stress during the day.
Islam like all other matter of life also gives instructions about the right and proper way of sleeping in the form of the sleeping habits of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The lines below discuss the Islamic guidelines on sleeping.
Sleeping Time:
Like all other aspects of life, sleeping on time should also be made a habit if one wishes to remain healthy. Moreover, sleeping on time is one of the best solutions for those who find it hard to wakeup at the time of Fajr prayer. It is quite natural that those who go to bed early, rise early as well. As far as the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is concerned, He would go to bed early and commended that a person should stay up late night only if he is to offer the night prayer, recite the Holy Quran or if he is married and has a newlywed life. Therefore, if there is none of these reasons, then a Muslim must go to bed at the earliest and ensure sufficient serene sleep.
Sleeping Position:
The traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also speak about the posture in which He used to sleep. As per different traditions, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would sleep on His right side facing Qibla with right hand under His cheek. As there is no greater role model for a Muslim than the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), therefore, if a Muslim ought to adopt a particular sleeping style then it should be the one adopted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Moreover, as far as other different sleeping styles are concerned, numerous scholars detest sleeping with any other pose, especially sleeping on the stomach. Therefore, the sleeping position that a Muslim must have is sleeping on the right side with right hand under the cheek while facing Qibla.
Wudu Before Sleep:
According to one of the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), performing wudu before going to sleep is like spending all night in prayer. Therefore, for a Muslim performing Wudu before going to sleep is a great chance to make an act like sleeping as an act of worship. Hence, when it comes to sleeping at night, a Muslim must ensure that he or she sleeps after performing Wudu.
Studying Quran:
As mentioned above, Quran recitation is one of the reasons for which a person can stay up late at night. however, if your time is managed in such a way that you can go to sleep early, you should do so with reciting a few verses or as much as you can of Quran. When you recite the Holy Quran, besides giving you reward and blessings, it also effects your heart and when you do so before going to sleep, it means that you are going to sleep under the influence of Quran. Moreover, when you study Quran with translation and explanation of its verses, it ensures that the time between lying down and sleeping is filled with the thoughts of Quran and Islam. Thus, instead of any vile thoughts and thinking over worldly problems, Quran recitation brings you peace of heart and you sleep while pondering over the word of God.
Cleanliness:
Another thing that is proved from the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is that He would sweep His bed before going to sleep, which points towards the fact that a Muslim must ensure cleanliness. This does not mean that a Muslim must go for lavish beds and comfortable cushions and elegant bed sheets, rather things should be kept simple yet clean. Therefore, when going to bed you must make sure that it is clean in all regards.
Dua For Sleep:
A Muslim ought to remember Allah Almighty throughout the day, therefore, before going to sleep a Muslim must also remember Him by supplicating to Him. The Dua of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before going to sleep is:
“بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا”
“In your name O Allah! I live and die.”
Besides these, you can also remember and recite the Duas in Quran at night till the time you sleep.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, sleep might seem a trivial part of our daily life to us, however, those who cant have should be asked of its true worth. Moreover, instead of physical and mental benefits, if a Muslim follows the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then the act of sleeping can also become an activity that provides religious and spiritual benefits.
