The encouragement for sleeping towards the qiblah is clearly understood from a Hadith, and is not merely the view of a scholar.
Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration from some family members of Sayyidatuna Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu’anha) thatthe bed of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) would be positioned like a person is positioned in his grave, with the Masjid being at the head side.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 5004,Chapter on where to face while sleeping.Also see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.10 pg.121)
As is evident from the chapter in which Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has cited this Hadith, he too understood the same.
Notes:
1. The deceased is generally laid on the right side, with the face in the direction of the qiblah.
2. The home of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) was to the left of the Masjid (when facing the qiblah). Therefore, if the head side of the bed was towards the Masjid, this will enable him (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) to face the qiblah while sleeping on his right side.
3. Sleeping on the right side is established from a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 247.
4. The Hadith commentators have mentioned the reason for sleeping with wudu is so that – in the event one dies in one’s sleep- one is in the state of wudu.
(‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 247)
The same could be said about facing the qiblah while sleeping…
http://hadithanswers.com/facing-the-...hile-sleeping/