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As mentioned by Ahmed S. BaHammam, ‘sleep medicine is a relatively new scientific speciality.’ In Islamic literature, however, it is an oft-repeated concept as its integral to growth and life itself. The Qur’an and Hadith are replete with reminders about the importance of sleep and most importantly, the etiquette around sleeping.
“And among his signs is your sleep by night and by day and your seeking of His bounty, verily in that are Signs for those who hearken.” [Holy Qur’an 30:23]
Sleep, therefore, is an important and significant element of our life in this world. We require sleep for growth. We need it for digestion. We need sleep at times so that we can recover from many illnesses.
Islam’s interest in sleep is deeply fascinating as it draws upon the notion to explain the circadian rhythm. Whilst humans are only beginning to become interested in how sleep – and how a lack of it can affect our lifestyle – Islam has already been providing guidance and advice on the matter for many centuries. In fact, after exhausting the physical layers of sleep, Muslim scholars have even gone deep to explore the science of dreams and dream interpretation.
An aspect that remains unexplored is the matter of ‘day and night’, and how they run in succession. Both ‘day‘ and ‘night‘ are unique identifiers and are also two of the greatest signs of Allah. The succession from ‘night to day‘ and ‘day to night’ is something that is emphasised thoroughly in the Qur’an, which is why the Qur’an also invites us to observe the rhythm. What’s more, it’s remarkable that the word ‘night’ always precedes ‘day’, which goes to show that human beings need the night before they need the day.
“And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.” [Holy Qur’an 25:62]
“And We have appointed the night and the day as two signs. Then We have obliterated the sign of the night with darkness, while We made the sign of the day illuminating.” [Holy Qur’an 17.12]
This circadian rhythm is what dictates and affects our lifestyle, and the Qur’an does a superb job of telling us this. In another powerful verse, Allah mentions, “And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you, and the sleep a repose, and makes the day Nushūr (i.e., going about your daily routine after having slept).” [Holy Qur’an 25.47]
Knowing about Islam’s relationship with sleep can help give us context and a new-found appreciation for the daily habit. A daily habit that we often disregard as something so mundane.
Manners and prophetic sleep traditions help transform our sleep from something mundane into something we’d appreciate. For over 1400 years, Muslims have been adopting small yet significant practices to maximise the quality of their sleep. Some require no effort whilst others can be challenging to the human body and mind. Nevertheless, each one brings with it its very own unique benefit.
It was a practice of the Prophet PBUH to not get involved in anything after the Isha prayer. From talking with friends to shopping, these were aspects that were discouraged by the Prophet PBUH once Isha was performed. He mentions in a hadith, ‘One should not sleep before the night prayer, nor have discussions after it.’ [Sahih Bukhari 574]
Awaking early is also a Sunnah that is often neglected. Fajr gives us a chance to experience the morning in a way that would otherwise never be witnessed. By waking early, we give ourselves the chance to maximise our productivity, as the Prophet PBUH mentioned, ‘O Allah bless my Ummah in what they do early (in the day).’ [Jami’ Tirmidhi]
According to a famous hadith, the Prophet PBUH mentions, ‘When you go to bed, perform ablution as is done for prayer; then lie down on the right side.‘ [Sahih Muslim]
There are many benefits associated with sleeping with wudhu. From angels praying for your forgiveness to receiving the reward of praying all night, the scholars mention that sleeping with wudhu also prevents one from having bad dreams. [Fathul Bari/Taqrir Bukhari]
This is sadly a forgotten Sunnah that requires immediate revival. The Prophet PBUH mentions regarding this practice, ‘When any one of you goes to bed, he should take hold of the hem of his lower garment and then should clean (his bed) with the help of that and then should recite the name of Allah for he himself does not know what he left behind him on his bed.‘ [Sahih Muslim]
In Islam, everything matters; even your sleeping position. Within the books of hadith, one will find prophetic traditions that discuss the sleeping position, from which there are several that encourage one to sleep on their right. Some modern scientific studies have suggested ‘a beneficial effect of right lateral decubitus position on the heart.’
On the other hand, the prone position is a disliked position in Islam, even for babies and young children. In fact, according to one hadith, the Prophet PBUH mentioned, ‘Indeed such laying [on the stomach] is not loved by Allah.’ [Jami’ Tirmidhi]
A Sunnah associated with that rarely ever gets mentioned is the Sunanh of switching the lights off. Without a missing single etiquette, the Prophet PBUH also mentioned, ‘When you intend going to bed at night, put out the lights, close the doors, tie the mouths of the water skins, and cover your food and drinks.’ [Sahih Bukhari]
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To advertise with British Muslim magazine, our website and email newsletters, email Robyn
Having problems with your subscription?
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To contact the editor email
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