Sunnah of the Prophet before sleeping
is essential for every Muslim because it is a source of spiritual peace and good sleep. Performing ablution (wudu), reciting the remembrance of Allah, and sleeping on the right side are the Sunnahs of the Prophet ﷺ that protect us from bad dreams and the whispers of Satan. Adopting these practices fills our lives with tranquility and blessings.
The life of the Prophet ﷺ is the best example for all humans to live a good life because Allah Almighty has presented the model of living an Islamic way of life through him, showing how a Muslim should live his life. Following the life of the Prophet ﷺ is better, especially the Sunnah of the Prophet before sleeping, which not only provides good sleep but also spiritual and physical peace. The way the Prophet ﷺ slept and the supplications recited before sleeping are not only an opportunity to follow the Sunnah but also a means to protect from Satan and all diseases.
Satan is always trying to mislead humans, including disturbing their sleep and showing bad dreams. So, if we follow the sleep habits of the Prophet ﷺ and adopt what he did before sleeping, we can protect ourselves from the whispers of Satan, bad dreams, and evil intentions, which can be a great means of salvation for us.
In today’s article, we try to explain the methods which, if adopted, not only earn the reward of following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ but also bring spiritual and physical peace in our worldly life. So, friends, let’s talk about those methods:
1. Performing ablution (wudu) before sleeping – Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
The first and most important practice is performing ablution before sleeping. Ablution brings physical and spiritual peace, so we should perform wudu before sleeping as the Prophet ﷺ used to do every night. This makes sleep better and helps provide both physical and spiritual calmness. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you go to bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer.”
This shows the importance of performing ablution before sleeping. Ablution not only cleans the body but also helps the mind to relax, so we should always perform wudu before sleeping to improve the quality of our sleep because good sleep is a key to a healthy life.
This hadith also tells us that sleeping with ablution is not just Sunnah but an order from the Prophet ﷺ, who commanded all Muslims to perform ablution before sleeping as they do before prayers. This emphasizes that we must perform wudu before sleeping for our own benefit.
2. Prayers and remembrances before sleeping – The Prophet’s ﷺ way
The second important thing is to remember Allah and recite His praises before sleeping every night. The Prophet ﷺ also used to do this, and it is the means to achieve spiritual and physical peace. When a person lies down to sleep, he often faces evil thoughts or worries that disturb sleep. Remembering Allah before sleeping removes fear and anxiety, helping the mind to stay calm.
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite Ayat al-Kursi every night before sleeping. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, Allah appoints an angel to protect him.”
This shows the great virtue of reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep, as it ensures that the person sleeps peacefully under the protection of an angel.
Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ used to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas before sleeping, which help keep all evils and diseases away. Reciting these verses is highly rewarding and an important practice before sleeping.
3. Sleeping on the right side – The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
Sleeping on the right side is also a great practice. The Prophet ﷺ used to sleep on his right side, placing his hand under his cheek, while reciting the supplication:
“In Your name, O Allah, I live and die.”
Sleeping on the right side is not only Sunnah but also supported by science because it helps the digestive system. When food stays in the stomach, lying flat or on the left side can cause discomfort and acid reflux, which disturbs sleep. Therefore, it is better to sleep on the right side with the hand under the cheek and recite this supplication.
4. Clearing the heart before sleeping – A recommended Sunnah
Before sleeping, it is important to forgive and let go of all grudges and anger. Holding onto negative feelings causes stress and disturbs sleep. If someone has wronged you, carrying resentment before sleeping will keep your mind busy with negative thoughts and prevent restful sleep.
Therefore, it is Sunnah to clear the heart from hatred and forgive others before sleeping. This will bring peace to your heart and improve your sleep quality.
5. Teaching children prayers before sleeping – A Sunnah
The fifth Sunnah is to teach children to recite various supplications and remember Allah before sleeping. Teaching children these prayers while they are young instills in them a lifelong habit of remembering Allah. This habit helps protect them from harm and draws them closer to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ advised his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali to recite Tasbih Fatimah (33 times SubhanAllah, 33 times Alhamdulillah, and 34 times Allahu Akbar) before sleeping. Fatimah also taught her sons Hasan and Husayn the same practice.
These were the methods that, if followed, will help us complete our sleep according to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Adopting these habits will not only bring the reward of following the Sunnah but also improve our spiritual and physical well-being. By following them, our sleep will come quickly and peacefully, Allah will be pleased with us, and it can be a means to enter Paradise.
This Article is also avaliable in Urdu.
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