Miscellaneous Shariah rulings about sleeping

 

When to sleep?

 

Time is a very valuable and priceless bounty of Almighty Allah.  If it passes away once, regaining it is well nigh impossible.  By staying awake in the night, one loses time although Islam lays great stress on valuing and saving time.  There is a Hadith in Mishkaat Ul Masabeeh, Pg. No. 443:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Umar bin Maimoon Audi (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advised one person thus: You consider 5 things as a respite before 5 (other) things:

 

1. Youth before old age.

 

2. Health before sickness.

 

3. Affluence before needfulness.

 

4. Leisure before engagements.

 

5. Life before death.

 

Staying awake in the night is harmful even from the medical point of view.  That’s why, unnecessary talk after Salaat Ul ‘Isha has been prohibited.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari in this regard:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has disliked sleeping before Salaat Ul ‘Isha and (unnecessary) talking after it.  (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 80, Hadith No. 568)

 

It is Undesirable (Makruh) to spend time talking after Salaat Ul ‘Isha.  However, staying awake in remembrance and worship of Allah, in hosting a guest, in acquiring knowledge or talking about necessary and religious matters isn’t Undesirable.

 

 

One should not sleep prone

 

A similar Hadith is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah on the authority of Hadhrat Abudhar Ghifari (May Allah be well pleased with him) and in Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal, Mo’jam Kabeer Tabarani on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Takhfa (May Allah be well pleased with him).  Please see the Hadith from Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Takhfa (May Allah be well pleased with him) that he hosted the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and a group of Companions.  One Companion says:  We spent the night at his place.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came to check on us in the night and found him sleeping prone (on his stomach).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) tapped him with His foot and said:  This is the way the dwellers of hell sleep.  (Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal, Hadith No. 22509)

 

Can we sleep under the open sky?

 

We have not found any Hadith/Tradition prohibiting sleeping under the open sky.  The Companions in the blessed era of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would sleep under the open sky when they were on campaigns, as it was not possible to provide a tent for everybody.

 

This shows that sleeping under the open sky is not wrong.  Sleeping under the open sky for better aeration or comfort is not prohibited.  However, it is better to sleep in a safe place for fear of harmful animals, insects, etc.