On Aadab (Etiquettes) Of Sleeping

The most beneficial type of sleep is that which one takes after digesting the food they have had. When one goes to sleep, they should sleep lying on their right side facing the Qiblah (direction of the Holy Ka’bah). Later, they may turn on their left side.

AIshâ Radhiyallâhu Anha reported that when Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam lied down to sleep, he lied on his right side while his blessed face facing the Qiblah.

Allâh Ta‘âlâ created the night for sleep. However, people who need to stay awake at night due to work, studying or ibadah (Acts of worship) are advised to practise qaylulah (Midday nap) which will help them protect from fatigue laziness. Besides, this short sleep protects the person looking pale and dull due to a lack of sleep. Concerning qaylulah (midday nap), Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam once said: “Help (yourself) with qaylulah (midday nap) to stand for night prayers (Tahajjud).”

Sleeping from Fajr Salaah until pre-noon time causes a lack of barakah (blessings) in one’s life. Likewise, one should strictly abstain from sleeping after Asr time. In fact, Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “Whoever sleeps after Asr time and loses his mind, should not blame anybody except himself.” Moreover, Nabi Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam considered it reprehensible to sleep before performing Ishâ Salaah.  

Since the time following Ishâ Salaah is allocated for us by Allâh Ta‘âlâ to sleep and rest, we should not deprive ourselves of sleep and engage ourselves with worldly things. However, those hours can be spent in dhikr (remembrance) of Allâh or acquiring knowledge and learning. Consequently, one should not waste his hours of sleep at night for anything aside from dhikr and ilm.