In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Sleep is a Divine gift made available equally and simultaneously for humans. Whether we are learned or illiterate, rich or poor, from the upper class or the middle/lower class, kings/princes/princesses or commoner, "white collars" or "blue collars," all of us need sleep. We can have it for free, without having to work for it.
In fact, this gift is most readily available to the poor and the laborers, as compared to the rich, the affluent and the elite. The rich, the affluent and the elite have all the means of comfort; they have comfortable homes, moderately warm and cold places, comfortable mattresses and pillows that are rarely available to the poor. But the gift of sleep is not dependent upon the mattresses, pillows, cottages and bungalows. It is purely a Divine gift that is given directly by Allah, Most Generous.
Often the poor, with no means of comfort and without bed or bedding, enjoy the best sleep in an open space. Sometimes, the affluent and the people of means suffer from insomnia and can only get sleep when they take sleeping pills. Often the pills do not work either.
Allah has made it compulsory for everyone to sleep, in a way that even if he wishes to keep awake because of their workload, sleep is imposed on him by Allah's mercy, so that his tiredness is removed and he is refreshed to work further. This arrangement is a wonderful means of providing rest and peace for people.
أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَـٰدًا ﴿٦﴾ وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا ﴿٧﴾ وَخَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا ﴿٨﴾ وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا ﴿٩[Qur'an An-Naba 78:9]
Have We not made the earth a resting place? (6) And the mountains as stakes? (7) And We created you in pairs (8) And made your sleep [a means for] rest (9)
Allah did not only give us sleep, but He created conditions, in the entire world, that are suitable for sleep.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا ﴿١٠[Qur'an An-Naba 78:lO]
And made the night as clothing (10)
Humans naturally feel sleepy when light decreases and darkness prevails, when there is tranquillity all around and there is absence of noises. Darkness of night and the state of sleep is imposed on all humans and animals simultaneously, so that they sleep at the same time. In this way, there will be peace and tranquillity throughout the world. Imagine the donkey is awake at night instead of the day, it will drive you crazy with its bray, not to mention the farmer will not be able to work. Imagine your pet cat hunting around your bed, while there is no need, while you are sleeping--you will definitely not have a restful and peaceful sleep. All animals around you, they sleep at night, but it is a fashion to stay up at night for many people. They sleep in the morning instead.
With the invention of the 24/7 restaurants/coffee shops and stores in our times, we all suffer biological, physical and environmental chaos. When there are different times for different people to sleep, no one will have peace and tranquillity.
Before you are about to taste the gift of sleep, remember the Giver.
These are some recommended acts before going to sleep based on the Prophetic examples. Try to implement this sunnah as much as you can, a smal amount at a time. Increase it gradually. Don't do too much at the beginning so you that you are not overwhelmed and don't do it at all.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: The most beloved action to Allah is that which is most consistent.
In another hadith, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: The best actions are those which are small and consistent. [Bukhari and Muslim]
1. Recite: Bismillah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ (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]
2. Before climbing into bed, dust the bed thrice with the corner of your clothes. [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
3. To make Miswaak before retiring to bed even if one has already made it for Isha prayer.
4. To sleep in a state of Wudhu'
5. To sleep on the right facing the Qibla with the right hand underneath the head like a pillow and with the knees slightly bent (Like in the recovery position). [Bukhari]
Surahs to Recite Before Going to Sleep
1. Surah Waaqi’a should be read before sleeping as it saves one from hunger and poverty.
2. Recite Surah Mulk before sleeping for protection from grave punishment:
The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, ‘Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave‘.
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said it was the custom of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم not to go to sleep until he had read Tabarakalladhi Biyadihil Mulk and Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel. [Ahmad, Tirmidhi]
Dua's to Recite Before Going to sleep
1. 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]
2. Whoever reads the following 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:
ٱللَّـهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٢٥٥
Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (255) [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:255]
[related by Bukhari)
3. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم 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:
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّـهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿٢٨٥﴾ لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٢٨٦
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "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 [final] destination." (285) Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people." (286) [Qur'an 2:285-286]
[related by Muslim]
4. Also reciting the last ten verses in Surah Baqarah at night is said to ward away Shaytan and calamities, illnesses, worries from ones home so ones whole family is protected that night.
These 10 verses are: The first four ayah’s of Surah Baqarah (2:1-4); Ayat ul Kursi and the two verses following it (2:255-257) and the last three verses of the Surah (2:284-286).
5. 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:
بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، فَإِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ".
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. [Bukhari and Muslim]
6. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم would place his right hand under his cheek when about to sleep and supplicate:
"اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ".
O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the day Your servants are resurrected. (3 times) [Abu Dawud]
7. Also read this dua:
"بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا".
In Your name O Allah, I live and die. [Muslim]
Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) Before Falling Asleep
The remembrance of Allah just when one is about to sleep shall be a means of that person achieving high stages in Paradise.
1. 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]
2. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said to Ali and Fatimah (May Allah be pleased with them) after they approached him for a servant: "Shall I not direct you both to something better than a servant"?
When you go to bed say:
Subhaanallah. (Thirty-three times)
Alhamdulillah. (Thirty-three times)
Allaahu Akbar. (Thirty-four times)
…for that is indeed better for you both than a servant.' (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)
Having Intention to Pray Tahajjud
1. To sleep with the intention of getting up for Tahajjud. [Nisaa’i]
2. To pray Tahajjud before Fajr (Dawn).
3. Rasulallah صلى الله عليه و سلم prayed 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 Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم had of Almighty Allah.
4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short rakats, because of the hadith of Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “It you get up for night prayer, start with two short rakats.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]
5. Abu Hurayra reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم 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]
May Allah increase us in love and awe of Him. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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