Sleep is an important part of life and can be used to recharge the body so that you can stay active throughout the day. Whether you're just taking a nap or sleeping at night, these activities are very important for brain function, and can improve physical and mental health. In Islam, sleep is highly recommended so that the body can function properly. However, there are certain rules and methods that must be observed so that you can sleep soundly and in accordance with religious guidance.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing for Sleep
Step 1. Understand the importance of sleep
Everyone would agree that sleep is very important for health. The average adult should sleep for at least 8 hours at night, while teenagers should sleep about 10 hours. Islam encourages people to sleep so that they can move and work well and safely because lack of sleep will cause various negative effects. The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam (may Allah grant him peace and blessings) said to Ibn Umar, one of his companions, who prayed all night: "Pray your prayers and also sleep at night, for your body has rights over you".
- The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If any of you is sleepy while praying, let him sleep first until his sleepiness disappears." [Sahih Bukhari No. 210]
- Aisha, the wife of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam told about a woman from Bani Asad, who was sitting with him. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam came and said, "Who is this?" 'Aisha replied, "He is like this and that. He does not sleep at night because he prays constantly." The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam did not agree, "Do (good) deeds according to ability because Allah will never tire of rewarding you until you get tired of doing noble deeds." [Musnad Ahmad No..25244]
Step 2. Make ablution to purify yourself
Wudu is a self-purification ritual in Islam which is done by washing certain body parts using water. This is generally done before praying, but it is also performed before going to bed. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "When you want to sleep, perform ablution just as you perform ablution for prayer." [HR. Bukhari and Muslim]
Salman al Farisi relates that he heard the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam say: "…Sleeping in a state of purity is the same as standing for prayer all night."
Step 3. Do your normal routine before going to bed
Some things that can be done include wearing comfortable clothes (can be in pajamas), washing your face, applying products to the skin, taking a warm bath, brushing your teeth, and so on. Cleanliness is very important in Islam. Abu Malik Al Asyari narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Cleanliness is part of faith."
Brushing your teeth before bed is highly recommended. Besides being advised by the dentist, 'Aisyah also narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Siwak (siwak tree branch for brushing teeth) can clean and purify the mouth, and Allah is pleased." (Narrated by Nasai and Ibn Khuzaimah; authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albani)
Step 4. Perform prayers
Remembering Allah after a busy and long day will bring comfort to most Muslims. Don't forget to do the Isha prayer, which is the last (fifth) obligatory prayer in one day. In the evening, you can pray as much as 2 to 12 rakaat for the Tahajud prayer. This is also known as the night prayer and is a recommended sunnah prayer. Unlike the five daily prayers, there is no sin in skipping the Tahajud prayer, but this prayer is highly recommended because the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "In heaven, there will be a palace for those who perform the Tahajud prayer."
- Some people prefer to wake up before dawn to perform their evening prayers. This is recommended if you always feel tired at the end of the day. The prayer before Fajr is called the Witr prayer.
- A man asked the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam: "How to do the night prayer?" The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam replied: "Two rak'ahs are two rak'ahs, and if you are afraid of dawn, do the Witr prayer as much as 1 rakaat." Narrated by Imam Bukhari. Look at Al Fath, 3/20.
- After performing the Tahajjud prayer is an ideal time to pray, ask for Allah's help and guidance, and seek forgiveness for any mistakes that have been made.
Step 5. Go to sleep right after the Isha prayer
If you have performed the Isha prayer, you must go to bed immediately so that you can wake up in the morning. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A person should not sleep before the Isha prayer, or talk after it" [Sahih Imam Bukhari no. 574]. Meeting friends or family in the evening is not allowed and is not recommended, except in an emergency.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said that doing work in the morning will be pleasing to Allah. It is advisable not to work at night and take advantage of the night time to sleep
Step 6. Set an alarm so you can wake up for Fajr prayer
Fajr is the first prayer and the beginning of the day, which is usually performed 1 hour before sunrise. So that you can wake up on time and not miss the Fajr prayer, set an alarm a few minutes before the time for Fajr prayer. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever prays before sunrise [Fajr] and before sunset [Asr], will not enter hell." [HR. Muslim] and "Anyone who prays in the two cold times (ie Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise." [HR. Bukhari and Muslim]
- Waking up in the morning before dawn may not be easy for many people (if you are not used to getting up early), especially when the weather is hot. You must go to bed immediately after performing the Isha prayer so that you can wake up before dawn easily.
- Never be tempted to skip the Fajr prayer. God never asks for much for everything He gives. So, don't ever forget that prayer is the first thing to be reckoned with on the Day of Resurrection.
Step 7. Begin to relax your mind and get ready for bed
Create a relaxed and calm atmosphere so you can sleep well. Turn off lights, candles, and device screens, and make the room as calm as possible. You need to relax and keep the environment calm and relaxed in order to fall asleep quickly.
Step 8. Check the house before going to bed
The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Close the vessels, tie the water containers, close the doors, and turn off the lights because Satan is not able to open the water bags, doors and vessels." Before going to bed, check that all windows and doors are tightly closed to protect yourself. Also turn off lights, candles, and light from other sources. If there are still drinks and food left, you should cover and store them.
Step 9. Avoid eating heavy meals before you go to sleep
Scientifically, the body will not be able to digest large and heavy food when lying down, and this can make you unable to sleep for several hours. Always enjoy a simple and light dinner so your body can digest it faster and make it easier for you to sleep.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Too much eating is a disaster." (Syuaib Al Iman from Baihaqi) and "The believer eats with one intestine (stomach), and the disbeliever eats with seven intestines (stomach)" [HR. Muslim]
Step 10. Find out how to take a nap in Islam
Sleep does not always have to be done at night. Taking a short nap during the day can restore energy to continue the day well. This nap can be done for about 15 to 30 minutes, and no more than this amount because sleeping too long can make you dizzy when you wake up.
Napping right after Zuhur is sunnah. In many hadiths it is mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his companions took a nap at this time
Part 2 of 2: Sleep
Step 1. Sleep in a clean place
Although most people sleep in beds, you can sleep anywhere as long as the place is comfortable and clean. Before going to bed, it is recommended to clean the bed so that it is clean and suitable for sleeping. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "When a person is going to sleep, let him clean the bed with a cloth from his undergarment because he never knows what will happen after he leaves it…"
It is also recommended to change sheets, pillowcases, and blankets at least once a week so that you can sleep in a clean place. Look for articles on wikiHow on how to wash sheets
Step 2. Find out the correct sleeping position
It is recommended to sleep on your right side facing the Qiblah. When Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam lay down to sleep, he lay on the right side of the body and placed his right hand under his right cheek.
- Islam does not allow sleeping on the stomach because this is a way of sleeping Satan. When the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam saw someone sleeping on his stomach, he said, "This is a way of lying down that Allah does not like." Sleeping on your stomach has also been shown to be unhealthy and can result in temporal dyspnea (a type of breathing disorder) and/or neck pain.
- In addition to your stomach, you can sleep in other positions, for example on your right or left side (although it is recommended to tilt to the right) or on your back.
Step 3. Read some verses of the Qur'an before going to bed
There are many surahs that can be read before going to bed. Reading Surahs of the Qur'an is not mandatory, but it has many rewards and can make it easier for you to sleep. You can read all the suras below before going to bed, or read the last 3 surahs that start with the word "Qul" as they can be read quickly and provide good protection before you go to sleep.
-
Read the verse of the Chair (Surah Al Baqarah: 255).
The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "By reciting it [the verse of the Chair], Allah will always guard you at night, and Satan will not be able to approach you until the morning." [Narrated by Bukhari]
-
Read the last two verses of Surah Al Baqarah.
Abu Mas'ud Al Badri narrated: I heard the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam say, "Whoever reads the last 2 verses of Surah Al Baqarah at night, then he will be given sufficient." [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]
-
Read Surah Al Mulk.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Surah Al Mulk is a protector from the torment of the grave" [Sahihul Jami' 1/680, Hakim 2/498 and Nasai]. And he also said, "There is a surah in the Qur'an which consists of only 30 verses. This Surah will be a defense for anyone who reads it to the point of placing it in heaven (i.e. Surah Al Mulk) "[Fathul Qadir 5/257, Shahihul Jami' 1/680, Tabrani in Al Ausat & Ibn Mardawaih].
-
Read Surah Al Kafirun.
It is narrated that Naufal Al Asyja'i said: The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said to me: "Recite Qul yaa ayyuhal kaafiruun (Surah Al Kafirun) and go to sleep after reading it, verily this surah will free you from shirk." [Narrated by Abu Dawud. and Tirmidhi]
-
Read the last three surahs of the Qur'an (three Qul).
It was narrated from Aisha that when the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam went to bed every night, he cupped his hands together and blew on them, then recited Qul huwallaahu ahad (Surah Al Ikhlas), Qul a'uudzu birabbil falaq (Surah Al Falaq), and Qul a 'udzuu birabbinnaas (Surah An Nas). Then he rubbed his palms all over the body that could be reached, starting from the head, face and front of the body. He did it three times. [HR. Bukhari]
Step 4. Pray before bed
You are encouraged to say any form of prayer during this time, but the usual prayer before going to bed is Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya (اَللّهُمَّ } which means 'In your name, O Allah, I die and live'.
- There are many prayers in other hadiths that are longer and can be read before going to bed. When the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam was about to lie down to sleep, he would place his right hand under his cheek and recite Allahumma qinii 'adzaabaka yauma tab'atsu 'ibaadaka' (اللَّهُمَّ ابَكَ تَبْعَثُ ادَكَ) which means: O Allah, keep me away from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants'. [HR. Abu Dawud 4/311].
- Add any prayer you want using your own words before going to bed. For example, thank Allah for helping you throughout the day and guiding you to Islam. Ask Allah to confirm you in Islam, ask for protection and enjoyment, and ask for provisions and help. In the end, confess all the sins you have ever committed and ask for forgiveness.
Step 5. Find out how to deal with insomnia
Sometimes deep sleep becomes a very rare thing. If you can't sleep, do dhikr and pray to make you sleepy. Ibn Sunni relates that Zaid bin Thabit said: I complained to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam about the difficulty sleeping I was suffering from. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: Say: O Allah, the stars have appeared, and the eyes have closed, and You are the Living One, leaning on no one and protecting all. Who never sleeps or falls asleep. O substance that is alive and constantly takes care of creatures, calm my night, and close my eyes. O Allah, take all my pain away from me.'
- It's perfectly normal for you to sometimes have trouble sleeping for 1 or 2 nights, but if every day you have trouble falling asleep and it's affecting your daily activities, you may need to see a doctor for a consultation. Your doctor may prescribe medication so you can sleep well.
- Avoid activities and situations that keep you awake. Although attractive, electronic device screens are known to keep a person awake. The sleeping environment should also be quiet and dark for the brain to recognize that it is time to sleep.
- Know that the devil is always near you when you sleep. When it is difficult to sleep, many people are prone to change their minds to kufr. This condition must be dealt with immediately by seeking refuge in Allah.
Step 6. Find out how to react when you have a bad dream
Disturbing dreams and nightmares are common during sleep, but still scary! It is narrated that Abu Qotadah said that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Sweet dreams come from Allah and bad dreams come from Satan. If any of you has a bad dream that frightens him, spit on his left [shoulder] and seek refuge in Allah from evil, then it will not harm him.” (Narrated by Bukhari no. 3118; and Muslim, no. 2261).
Allah also created wet dreams (ihtilam) to release sexual tension for unmarried Muslims so that they would not be ashamed or feel guilty about it
Step 7. Avoid oversleeping
There is no specific amount of time to sleep. People usually sleep for 5-8 hours, but there are also people who can still function normally with less sleep, and others need more sleep. However, a Muslim should not sleep for longer than necessary and skip the prayer due to sleep.
Create a bedtime schedule and stick to it strictly so that you can wake up and go to bed at certain times on a regular basis
Step 8. Wake up with the remembrance of Allah
Being able to meet a new day is a blessing from Allah. You can remember Allah by saying whatever prayer you want at the time. The prayer that is often said when you wake up is "Alhamdu lillaahilladzi ahyaanaa ba'damaa amaatnaa wailaihinnusyuru" (الْحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي انَا ا اتَنَا لَيْهِ النُّشُورُ), which means "Praise be to Allah who woke us up after putting us to sleep, and to Him resurrected."
