1. If after Isha one does not have anything important to do like any Religious or any other
commitments then one should go early to bed and avoid useless talk and gatherings. Going
to bed early assists one in waking up early for worship as well as waking up fresher for the
new day in order to work or to carry out daily tasks.
2. Recite: Bismillah بِسْمِ الِّ (In the name of Allah) before closing the doors of the house,
before covering utensils with food in them, switch off or turn off fires, light etc (Bukhari)
If one cannot find anything with which to cover the utensil then one should place a stick
across the top of the utensil. (Muslim-Vol.2, pg.170)
3. To discuss with family members matters pertaining to Islam like stories of the Sahaba’s or
reminders that will help increase Imaan (faith). Or to simply talk about matters that please
them without getting into useless talk. (Tirmidhi)
4. Children who are aged nine or ten years of age should be separated from females in one
room and males in another. (Mishkaat)
5. Apply Surma (Kohl) in each eye three times (Mishkaat)
6. To lay or spread the bed oneself (Muslim)
7. Before climbing into bed, dust the bed thrice with the corner of your clothes. (Bukhari,
Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
8. Recite ‘Bismillah’ when removing clothing as it is a cover and protection
from Jinn and Shaythaan.
9. To make Miswaak before retiring to bed even if one has already made it for Isha salaat.
10. To use a pillow to rest ones head on (Muslim)
11. Rasulallah pillow was made of leather filled with palm leaves (date leaves).
12. To use leather and hide as bedding for sleeping
13. To use straw mat for sleeping
14. To sleep on a mat or carpet made of cloth
15. To sleep on the floor
16. To sleep on a bed (Nashrut Tib)
Note: To sleep on any of the above with the intention of Sunnah shall merit reward inshallah
17. If one does any of the above with the intention of sunnah then one will receive reward
inshallah.
18. To sleep in a state of Wudhu, (Attargheeb)
19. It is prohibited to sleep on ones stomach as Shaythaan sleeps on his stomach (Tirmidhi)
20. It is also prohibited to sleep on the back with the one leg on top of the other (Muslim)
Note:If there is no fear of exposing ones private parts then it is permissible to sleep in this
manner but one should be careful.
21. To sleep on the right side, facing towards the Qiblah (Bukhari)
22. To sleep with the right hand underneath the face like a pillow and with the knees slightly
bent (Like in the recovery position)
23. One should also recite Surah Mulk before sleeping as it is saves one from the grave
punishment. Surah Mulk should also be read as well as Surah Yaasin.
24. Surah Waaqi’a should be read before sleeping as it saves one from hunger and poverty (Attargheeb)
25. When one goes to bed then do the following: ‘When retiring to his bed every night, the Prophet would hold his palms together, spit (A form of spitting comprising mainly of air with little spittle) in them, recite the last three chapters (Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq, An-Naas) of the
Quran and then wipe over his entire body as much as possible with his hands, beginning with
his head and face and then all parts of the body, he would do this 3 times.’ (Tirmidhi)
26. Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain
with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morning:
Allaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta'khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-'ardh, man thal-lathee yashfa'u 'indahu 'illaa bi'ithnihi, ya'lamu maa bayna 'aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay'im-min 'ilmihi 'illaa
bimaa shaa'a, wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal'ardha, wa laa ya'ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa
Huwal- 'Aliyyul- 'Adheem.
Allah! There is no God but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that
exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens
and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His
Permission? He knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in
the Hereafter. And they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge except that which
He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in
guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (Al-Bukhari)
27. The Prophet (Pbuh)said: ‘whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he
rises in the morning:
'Aamanar-Rasoolu bimaa 'unzila mir-Rabbihi walmu'minoon, kullun 'aamana billaahi wa
malaa'ikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi, laa nufarriqu bayna 'ahadim-mir-Rusulihi, wa qaaloo
sami'naa wa 'ata'naa ghufraanaka Rabbanaa wa 'ilaykal-maseer. Laa yukallifullaahu nafsan
'illaa wus'ahaa, lahaa maa kasabat wa 'alayhaa mak-tasabat, Rabbanaa laa tu'aakhithnaa 'in
naseenaa 'aw 'akhta'naa, Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil 'alaynaa 'isran kamaa hamaltahu 'alallatheena
min qablinaa, Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bihi, wa'fu
'annaa, waghfir lanaa warhamnaa, 'Anta Mawlaanaa fansurnaa 'alal-qawmil-kaafireen.
The Messenger believes in what has been send down to him from his Lord, and so do the
believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They
say: "We make no distinction between any of His Messengers," and they say: "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return." Allah burdens not a person beyond what he can bear. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector, and help us against the
disbelieving people. (Muslim 1/554)
28. Also reciting the ten verses in Surah Baqarah at night is said to ward away Shaythaan
and calamities, illnesses, worries from ones home so ones whole family is protected that night. Those 10 verses are: The first four ayah’s of Surah Baqarah; Ayat ul Kursi and the two
verses following it and the last three verses of the Surah.
29. ‘If one of you rises from his bed and then returns to it he should dust it with the edge of
his garment three times for he does not know what has occurred in his absence and when he
lies down he should supplicate:
Bismika Rabbee wadha'tu janbee, wa bika 'arfa'uhu, fa'in 'amsakta nafsee farhamhaa, wa 'in 'arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa, bimaa tahfadhu bihi 'ibaadakas-saaliheen.
‘In Your name my Lord, I lie down and in Your name I rise, so if You should take my soul
then have mercy upon it, and if You should return my soul then protect it in the manner You
do so with Your righteous servants.’ (Al-Bukhari 1 1/ 126 and Muslim 4/2084)
30. The Prophet would place his right hand under his cheek when about to sleep
and supplicate:
‘O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the day Your servants are resurrected.’ (Abu
Dawud 4/311)
31. Also read this dua:
."باِسْمِكَ اللّهُمّ أمَُوتُ وَأحَْياَ"
Bismikal-lahumma amootu wa-ahya.
‘In Your name O Allah, I live and die.’ (Muslim 4/ 2083)
32. Recite the following Asthaghfaar three times:
Asthaghfirullah halladhee laa ilaaha ilallahuwal hayyul qayyumu wa athubu ilay
I seek forgiveness from Allah besides whom there is none worthy of worship, the living, the
sustainer of life and to Him i repent. (Tirmidhi-Vol.2, pg.177)
33. ‘Shall I not direct you both (The Prophet was addressing Ali and Fatimah- May Allah
be pleased with them) when they approached him for a servant) to something better than a
servant? When you go to bed say:
Allahumma aslamtu nafsee ilayk, wafawwadtu amree ilayk, wawajjahtu wajhee ilayk, waalja/ tu thahree ilayk, raghbatan warahbatan ilayk, la maljaa wala manja minka illa ilayk,
amantu bikitabikal-lathee anzalt, wabinabiyyikal-lathee arsalt.
‘O Allah, I submit my soul unto You, and I entrust my affair unto You, and I turn my face towards You, and I totally rely on You, in hope and fear of You. Verily there is neither refuge nor safe haven from You except with You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent.’
The Prophet said: "Whoever says this and dies in his sleep has died in a state of the natural monotheism (Fitrah)." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim 4/2081)
Fitrah: the religion of Islam, the way of Ibraheem.
35. To recite Bismillah 21 times is said to save ones home from theft and the evil effects of
Shaythaan and sudden death. (Amal al-Yowm Wal Laylah)
36. Recite durood whilst falling asleep.
37. Dhikr is a cleanser (purifier) of the heart. (Baihaqi)
38. The remembrance of Allah just as in is about to sleep shall be a means of that person
achieving high stages in Jannah. (Attargheeb)
….When you go to bed, glorify Him and praise Him and magnify Him one hundred
times: that will be one hundred on the tongue and a thousand in the scales. Who among you
does 2500 sayi’aat (bad deeds) in one day?’ They said: ‘How could we not count (our sins)?’
He said: ‘The Shaytaan comes to any one of you whilst he is praying and says, Remember
this, remember that, until he finishes his prayer and does not do (this Dhikr), or he comes to
him when he is lying down and makes him sleepy, until he falls asleep (without doing this
Dhikr).’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3332)
39. Rasulallah has stated that whosoever goes to bed in a state of purity (i.e. Wudhu)
and such a person remembers Almighty Allah until he falls asleep then, whatever dua such a
person makes (whether pertaining to this world or the next) while asleep and turning side to
side, such dua’s shall certainly be granted to him by Almighty Allah. (Mishkaat)
40. To keep the prayer mat near ones head or besides bed before sleeping (Nisaa’i)
41. Precaution should be taken that children do not notice marital relations between husband
and wife (Mishkaat)
42. At the time of difficulty when Sleeping:
Zaid bin Thaabit complained to Rasulallah of not being able to go to sleep at times
and Rasulallah advised him to recite the following dua:
Allahummah ghaarithinnujumu wa hadaathil uyoonu wa antha hayyun qayyumulla tha’
khudhu ka sinathuwalaa nawmun yaa hayyun yaa qayyoomu a’hde’ laylee wa anim ‘aynee
Oh Allah the stars have sunk in and the eyes have become tranquil and quite and You are
alive and ever lasting neither does sleep overcome You. Oh the living and ever lasting one
make my night my tranquil and give my eyes sleep. (Ibn Sunni, Hisnul Hasin)
43. If afraid to go to sleep or feeling lonely or depressed then recite:
'A'oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min ghadhabihi wa 'iqaabihi, wa sharri 'ibaadihi, wa min hamazaatish-shayaateeni wa 'an yahdhuroon.
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from His anger and His punishment, from the evil
of His slaves and from the taunts of devils and from their presence. (Abu Dawud 4/12, At-
Tirmithi 3/171)
44. This is to be recited if you turn over in bed during the night:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahul-Waahidul-Qahhaaru, Rabbus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa maa
baynahumal-'Azeezul-Ghaffaaru.
There is none worthy of worship but Allah, the One, the Victorious, Lord of the heavens and
the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving. (See An-Nasa'i,
'Amalul-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Ibn As-Sunni)
45. If after sleeping one experiences a pleasant dream then when ones eyes open then say:
“Alhamdulillah” – All Praise be to Allah, then the pleasant dream should only
be revealed to trustworthy learned ones so that the dream can be interpreted correctly.
46. If one experiences an unpleasant dream then one should spit (A form of spitting
comprising mainly of air with little spittle) three times on the left side and then recite three
times: “Audhobillaahi Minashaythaanirajeem”.
Also change one’s position to the other side and sleep. (Muslim-Vol.2, chapter of dreams)
47. The dream should NOT be revealed to anyone then it will bring no harm to the person (Bukhari, Muslim)
48. To have water and Miswaak ready in advance for Wudhu (Muslim)
49. To sleep with the intention of getting up for Tahajjud (Nisaa’i)
50. To read Tahajjud salaat before Subho Sadiq (Dawn) (Mishkaat)
51. Rasulallah read long rak’ahs which caused swelling of his blessed feet. Whilst
reciting Qur’an in Salaah Rasulallah used to cry excessively and this caused a wheezing
sound coming from his blessed chest as if a pot was being boiled. This is due to the fear
Rasulallah had of Almighty Allah.
52. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short rakats, because of the hadith of
Abu Hurraira that the Prophet Muhammad said, “It you get up for night prayer, start
with two short rakats.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]
53. Abu Hurraira reports that the Messenger of Allah was asked, “What prayer is
most virtuous, after the obligatory prayers?” He said, “Prayer in the depths of the night.”(Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nisaa’i, Ibn Majah)
54. For Tahajjud one should read at least 2 Rak’ahs and a maximum of 12 rak’ahs. This is
Sunnah. However there is no limit for (Nafil) voluntary worship. One may also do a lot of
Dhikrullah as well as recitation of the Qur’an.
55. The dua's at the time of Tahajjud are very readily accepted by Almighty Allah and one
should repent and ask of Allah and try to cry in their dua's at this time, if one cannot cry due
to the hardness of ones heart due to sin then at least one should make the face as if one is
crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quickly and promptly when it cries the same way
Allah attends to his servant quicker when they are crying.
We should try and pray Tahajjud every night as it is one of the best and most rewarding Nafil
prayers and makes it possible for one to gain the top ranks of Jannah (Heaven). If not then at
least pray it as much as we can.
Ibn Mas’ud was asked, ‘I cannot pray at night.’ He said, ‘Your sins have prevented you.’
If one is overcome by sleep then it is best to sleep but one should always ensure that one
does not miss their Fajr. Men should do their best to attend Fajr with Jamaat as this is huge
rewards and women get the same reward for praying at home.
The Sunnah Of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) with regards to sleeping.In this article we’ve researched many Sahih hadiths which will give you an outline of some of the traditions of the Prophet (ﷺ) did before going to bed.
Remember these are Sunnah of the Prophet and not fardh acts. These are not obligatory by any means but rather Mustahabb (recommended) or things which are Makruh (disliked behaviours) and should be avoided.
By adopting such attitudes, habits, and behaviours you are improving in character.
“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.” Surah Ahzab ayah 21.
SUNNAH OF WUDU BEFORE BED:
Narrated Al-Bara ‘bin `Azib: The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, “Whenever you go to bed perform ablution like that for the prayer, lie on your right side and say,
“Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilaika, wa fauwadtu `Amri ilaika, wa alja’tu Zahri ilaika raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika. La Malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Allahumma amantu bikitabika-l-ladhi anzalta wa bina-biyika-l ladhi arsalta”
O Allah! I surrender to You and entrust all my affairs to You and depend upon You for Your Blessings both with hope and fear of You. There is no fleeing from You, and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allah! I believe in Your Book (the Qur’an) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom You have sent. Then if you die on that very night, you will die with faith (i.e. or the religion of Islam). Sahih Al-Bukhari 247
RECITING SURAH IKHLAS, FALAQ AND AN-NAS BEFORE BED:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to seek refuge from satan at night by reciting Al-Mu’awwidhatan (both Surah Falaq and Surah Nas) as well as reading Surah Ikhlas.
Narrated ‘Aisha: Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times. Sahih Al-Bukhari 5017
HADITH BEFORE SLEEPING – CLEANING BED SHEETS
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When anyone of you go to bed, he should shake out his bed with the inside of his waist sheet, for he does not know what has come on to it after him, and then he should say: ‘Bismika Rabbi Wada`tu Janbi wa bika arfa’uhu, In amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfazu bihi ibadakas-salihin.” Sahih Al-Bukhari 6320 and Sahih Muslim 2714.
DHIKR AND TASBEEH BEFORE SLEEPING:
The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) before sleeping was to recite Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar thirty times.
Narrated Ali bin Abi Talib: Fatima came to the Prophet (ﷺ) asking for a servant. He said, “May I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite “Subhan Allah’ thirty three times, ‘Al hamduli l-lah’ thirty three times, and ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty four times. Ali added, ‘I have never failed to recite it ever since.” Somebody asked, “Even on the night of the battle of Siffin?” He said, “Even on the night of the battle of Siffin.” Sahih Al-Bukhari 5362 and Sahih Muslim 2727
SLEEPING ON RIGHT SIDE
Narrated Hudhaifa: When the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed at night, he would put his hand under his cheek and then say, “Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya,” (O Allah, in Your name I die and I live) and when he got up, he would say, “Al-Hamdu lil-lahi al-ladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana, wa ilaihi an-nushur.” (Praise be to Allaah who has brought us back to life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection). Sahih Al-Bukhari 6314
SUNNAH TO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR BELLY
It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by me and I was lying on my stomach. He nudged me with his foot and said: ‘O Junaidib! This is how the people of Hell lie.'” Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan Ibn Majah 3724
RECITING AYATUL KURSI BEFORE SLEEPING
Allah’s Apostle asked, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I replied, “He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked, “What are they?” I replied, “He said to me, ‘Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end —- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum—-.’ He further said to me, ‘(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.’ […] The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?” Abu Huraira said, “No.” He said, “It was Satan.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2311
Narrated Abu Mas’ud: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If somebody recited the last two Verses of Surat Al-Baqara at night, that will be sufficient for him.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5009
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I didn't read the whole of it
but have saved it on my pc
Sunnah's of the night
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