What Is the Sunnah Before Sleeping? Find Out Here!
Hi, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of "What is the Sunnah before sleeping?" If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is essential for us to understand this topic. So, make sure to read this article until the end!
Specifically, there are some important points about "What is the Sunnah before sleeping?" that I will discuss in this article. These key points include the following:
Meaning of Sunnah Before Sleeping
The important point about "What is the Sunnah before sleeping?" that I will explain now is the meaning of the Sunnah before sleeping. I want you to grasp this concept before you read any further.
If we examine the phrase "Sunnah before sleeping," we will find two things that we must understand:
Sunnah
In general, the Sunnah refers to everything attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, including his words, actions, decisions, characteristics, and more.
When Muslims refer to something as Sunnah, they mean that it is related to one (or perhaps several) practices of the Prophet Muhammad.
Before Sleeping
The phrase "Before sleeping" refers to one or more activities that take place before going to bed.
Therefore, "Sunnah before sleeping" encompasses the commendable actions that the Prophet Muhammad performed prior to sleeping. We can also understand the "Sunnah before sleeping" as the recommended practices for Muslims.
That’s a brief explanation of the meaning of "Sunnah before sleeping." As Muslims, we should acknowledge this significance.
Why Is Sunnah Before Sleeping Important?
The important point about "What is the Sunnah before sleeping?" that I will explain now is "Why is the Sunnah before sleeping important?" I want you to grasp this so that you have a complete understanding of the topic of this article.
In the previous discussion, I explained that the Sunnah encompasses everything attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad is a highly esteemed figure; he serves as the standard of goodness for Muslims. Essentially, if they want to be good Muslims, they should emulate his actions and avoid what he has forbidden. Of course, this must be adjusted to each individual's capabilities.
Read Also: Is It Sunnah to Sleep After Zuhr?
Although the Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, he was also an ordinary human being. He ate, drank, slept, got married, worked, and engaged in various activities like any other human. However, the difference is that all his actions were good. That is why Muslims aspire to perform good deeds as he did. One such example is the Sunnah he practiced before going to sleep.
So, if someone asks you, "Why is the Sunnah before sleeping important?" the answer is as follows:
- Because these are commendable actions to take before sleeping.
- Because the Prophet Muhammad practiced them.
- Because, as Muslims, we are strongly encouraged to follow the Prophet Muhammad's example according to our abilities.
These are three key reasons why the Sunnah before sleeping is important. As Muslims, we must recognize this significance.
What is the Sunnah Before Sleeping?
The important point about "What is the Sunnah before sleeping?" that I will explain now is a specific answer. However, I want to make it clear that there are many Sunnahs before sleeping. Of course, I won't explain them all, but in this article, I will cover some general points about the Sunnah before going to bed.
As for these general points about the Sunnah before sleeping, here is what I mean:
Wudu Before Sleeping
The first Sunnah before sleeping is to perform wudu before going to bed. I believe we all know what wudu is and how to perform it. I have explained it in detail in several previous articles, so I won’t repeat that here.
However, one important point I want to clarify about wudu before going to bed is that the purpose is for Muslims to be in a state of purity before sleeping. We can find an explanation of wudu before sleeping as a Sunnah in the following hadith:
قَـالَ النَّبِيُّ - صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - لِلْبَرَّاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ : إِذَا أَتَيْتَ مَضْجَعَكَ ، فَتَوَضَّأْ وُضُوْءَكَ لِلصَّلَاةِ ، ثُمَّ اِضْطَجِعْ عَلَى شِقِّكَ الْأَيْمَنِ… الْحَدِيْثُ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to Barra' bin 'Azib (radliyallahu anhu), "If you are going to sleep, then perform your wudu like you would for prayer, and then lie down on your right side…" (al-Hadith). This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
That is a brief explanation of performing wudu before sleeping as a Sunnah. As Muslims, we must understand its significance.
Pray Before Sleeping
The second Sunnah before sleeping is to pray before going to bed. We can find this explanation in the following hadith:
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ - رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ - مَرْفُوْعاً: إِذَا أَوَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَلْيَنْفُضْ فِرَاشَهُ بِدَاخِلَةِ إزَارِهِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَدْرِيْ مَا خَلْفَهُ عَلَيْهِ ، ثُمَّ يَقُوْلُ : بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّيْ وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِيْ ، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ ، إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِيْ فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا ، فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفِظُ بِهَ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
From Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu), the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When one of you goes to bed, he should shake off his bedding with the inside of his garment, as he does not know what may be on it. Then let him pray: 'In Your name, O my Lord, I lay down my side. In Your name, I lift it up. If You hold back my spirit, then have mercy on it; but if You release it, then guard it as You guard Your righteous servants.'"
That's a brief explanation of praying before sleep as a Sunnah. As Muslims, we must understand this practice.
Clean the Bed Before Sleeping
The third Sunnah before sleeping is to clean the bed. I believe you understand this already. The key point is that we should clean our bed. We can refer to the earlier hadith about praying before sleeping for further clarification.
Lie on the Right Side
The fourth Sunnah before sleeping is to lie on the right side. I think you are familiar with this as well. This practice is mentioned in the hadith about wudu before going to bed, which I discussed earlier.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the Sunnah before sleeping is vital for Muslims seeking to emulate the Prophet Muhammad's commendable practices. By incorporating these actions into our nightly routine, such as performing wudu, praying, cleaning our beds, and lying on our right sides, we can enhance our spiritual connection and foster a sense of peace before resting. These Sunnah practices are not merely rituals; they serve to purify our hearts and minds, aligning us with the teachings of Islam. By acknowledging and implementing these Sunnah actions, we not only fulfill a significant aspect of our faith but also create a conducive environment for restful sleep, gratitude, and reflection. As we integrate these practices into our lives, we strengthen our commitment to following the Prophet's example and deepen our understanding of the beauty and significance of Islamic teachings.
May our efforts in adhering to the Sunnah before sleeping bring us closer to Allah. Ameen!
See you again in the next article!
Sunnah before going to bed is explained in detail in this article. This article is highly recommended for people who want to know what the sunnah is before going to bed.