814/1- Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) went to bed, he used to lie on his right side and say: “O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, turned my face to You, entrusted my affairs to You, and committed my back to You, out of desire for You and fear from You. There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet You have sent.”
[Narrated by Al-Bukhāri with this wording in his Sahīh, in the Book of Etiquette]
815/2 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: “When you go to bed, perform ablution like the one you make for prayer, then lie on your right side and say: [He mentioned a similar supplication].” Then, he said: “Make them the last thing you say.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It is recommended to lie on the right side, as this does not burden the heart. This posture is consistent with the Sunnah and easier on the body.
2) It is recommended that the Muslim sleeps in a state of purification, which makes him safer from Satan’s manipulation.
3) Out of His wisdom and mercy, Allah Almighty laid down specific Dhikr to be said during the different actions people engage in. Thus, they do not become heedless of mentioning their Lord.
816/3 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray 11 Rak‘ahs during the night, and when dawn came, he would offer two brief Rak‘ahs and then lie on his right side, until the Muezzin would come and notify him (that the people are gathered for prayer).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) Out of His mercy and grace, Allah Almighty enabled us to know what the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to do privately, through his wives, the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them).
2) It is Sunnah to make the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr brief, provided tranquility is observed.
3) It is permissible for a person who offers the Fajr Sunnah at home to lie on his right side after it, in case he has performed voluntary prayer during the night and stood for long.
817/4 - Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to sleep, he used to put his right hand under his cheek and say: “O Allah, in Your name I die and live.” And when he woke up, he used to say: “Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after He caused us to die and to Him is the resurrection.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1) It is part of the Prophet’s guidance to put the right hand under the right cheek when one lies on his right side.
2) It is desirable to praise Allah Almighty under all conditions, for He alone is the Disposer of all affairs in the universe.
818/5 - Ya‘īsh ibn Tikhfah al-Ghifāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: My father related: “While I was lying down on my abdomen in the mosque, a man prodded me with his leg and said: ‘This is a sleep posture that Allah hates.’ I looked up and saw that it was the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, with an authentic Isnād]
1) It points out the intense dislike for sleeping on one’s abdomen, as this is a way of sleep that Allah Almighty hates, especially in places frequented by people.
2) It is part of the Prophet’s guidance to forbid what is wrong and correct common mistakes.
819/6 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever sits in a place where he does not remember Allah, deprivation will descend on him from Allah; and whoever lies down in a place where he does not remember Allah, deprivation will descend on him from Allah.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, with a sound Isnād]
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1) A person should frequently remember Allah Almighty while standing, sitting, or lying on his side. All people’s deeds are recorded for them.
2) Gatherings are perfected when Allah Almighty is remembered in them. As for gatherings where Allah is not mentioned, they are but a source of regret for those attending. And what about our gatherings today! They abound in gossip and backbiting and mostly lack any remembrance of our Lord.