What are the Islamic manners of sleeping?
The Prophet ﷺ had a careful practice at the edge of sleep — the right side, the words on the tongue, the surahs recited. The classical scholars preserved the whole sequence.
10 passages from 8 books in the library
The Islamic manners of sleeping, as the page describes, follow the Prophet's ﷺ careful practice at the edge of sleep: lying on the right side, speaking certain words on the tongue, and reciting particular surahs, a whole sequence the classical scholars preserved. The cited passages frame sleep itself as a means to rest and strengthen oneself for worship, so that even rest becomes an act drawn into the rhythm of devotion. They also include guidance on simple bedding and litanies recited before sleeping, reflecting a modest and remembrance-filled approach to rest.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 8 books by Imam al-Ghazali and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Another hadith, A bed for the man, a bed for the woman, a bed for the guest, and the fourth"
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"The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, A bed for the man, a bed for the woman,"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"As for the hadith about Ali sleeping on the bed of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Sleeping becomes a means to rest and strengthen oneself for worship, transforming sleep into"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"sleep overcame him, then rising upon waking, and upon sleep prevailing once more, he would"
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"The third litany, sleep, including sleep among the litanies, is not improper, for if its"
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"sleep separately. One would sleep in the open, and the other in another direction, until"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Aisha spread for him a new bed one night, whereas he used to sleep on a worn-out cloak,"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Nothing defeats sleep unless it dominated before sleep, and you will not awaken except"
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"day, while Jesus was sleeping on a stone, savoring the pleasure of sleep, Iblis passed"
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