The most revered Prophet (PBUH) did not confine His teachings to prayers or behaviour in the mosque alone.  The Muslims were told how to go to the market, how to eat, how to drink, how to buy, how to deal with people, how to behave in the home and so on.

If a Muslim performs his daily routine strictly in accordance with the sayings of the most revered Prophet (PBUH), it becomes Ibadat (a virtuous act) for him. This is what makes Islam unique. What a concession?

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) prescribed a mode of going to the bed. Before going to the bed the Holy prophet (PBUH) would perform ablution (wadhu), clean His bedding and put out the fire (light).

“Fire is an enemy to you. So when you want to sleep, put it out.” (Al Bukhari). Through this hadith, the most revered Prophet (PBUH) urged Muslims to ward off the sources of danger. This also reflects Holy Prophet’s concern for the Ummah.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also urged the Muslims to clean their bedding before going to sleep. “When you go to bed, clear the bedding with part of loincloth as you do not know what is lying inside and let you say, O Allah with Your name I have lied on my side and with Your name I raise it. O Allah if You hold my soul (take my life), then have mercy on it, and if You return it, then protect it with what You protect Your pious servants.” (Al Bukhari, Al Muslim.)

Do not stay up late unless there is a dire need.  According to Imam Bukhari (RA) and Imam Muslim (RA), the most revered Prophet (PBUH) disliked sleeping before Isha prayers and did not like sitting and talking after it. This means the most revered Prophet (PBUH) went to bed immediately after Isha prayers.

Al  Baraa Ibn Azeb (RA) quotes the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as having said, “ If you want to go to bed, perform ablution as that for prayer, then lie down on your right side and say O Allah I submit myself to You and turn my face towards You, confide my cause unto You, take refuge in You, out of love and fear of You. There is no refuge or escape from You except in You. I believe in Your Book, which You have revealed and Your Prophet (PBUH), whom You have sent as Messenger.” (Al Bukhari, Al Muslim.)

Do not sleep on your belly. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) disliked this posture.  “Such a position of lying down is disliked by Allah the most exalted.” (Abu Dawud).

The most revered Prophet (PBUH) always slept on His right side and usually placed His right hand under His cheek, facing the Kabbah. He kept the Miswaakh (toth stick) at the head of the bed positively. Before going to sleep He used to recite Surah Jumma (LXII), Surah Tagabun (LXIV) and Surah Saff (LXI).

When He woke up, He would clean his teeth with the Miswaakh, perform ablution and offer Tahajjud prayers. Then He would supplicate for quite some time. After offering two rakaats (Sunnah) of Fajr (Morning prayers) He would lie down and take some rest before leaving for the mosque.    

A Muslim should not take off all his clothes (sleep naked). It is obligatory for a Muslim male to conceal a portion of his body starting from upper belly to knees. A woman is supposed to conceal whole of her body. Besides the (naked) body loses heat quickly which may create problems.

(From RK Archives)