Sunnats and Aadaab of Sleeping – Part 6

1. One should not sleep naked, instead one should sleep wearing such clothing that conceals one’s satr.

عن بهز بن حكيم حدثني أبي عن جدي قال : قلت يا رسول الله عوراتنا ما نأتي منها و ما نذر قال : احفظ عورتك إلا من زوجتك و ما ملكت يمينك قلت : يا رسول الله إذا كان القوم بعضهم في بعض قال : إن استطعت أن لا يرينها أحد فلا يرينها قال : قلت يا رسول الله إذا كان أحدنا خاليا ؟ قال : فالله أحق أن يستحى منه من الناس (ابو داود رقم 4019)

Hadhrat Bahz bin Hakeem relates from his father, who relates from his grandfather, that he asked Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), inform us regarding the masaail relating to our satr. In which cases we are allowed to expose our satr and in which cases we have to conceal it?”  Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Safeguard your satr, except before your wife and your slave-girl.” I then asked: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), what about in the situation when many people are living together (e.g.in the case where people are living together in a small room and one would need to change one’s clothes etc.)?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “Ensure that no one ever sees your satr.” I then asked: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), what about the situation when one is in seclusion (i.e. can his satr be exposed e.g. while changing)?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “Allah Ta’ala is more worthy that hayaa and modesty be shown before Him than the modesty one exercises before people. ” (i.e. One should have the presence of Allah Ta’ala all the time in one’s heart and mind and thus feel more ashamed to expose his satr before Allah Ta’ala (even in seclusion), than the shame one has for people).

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال كان أبو موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه إذا نام لبس ثيابا عند النوم مخافة أن تنكشف عورته (الطبقات الكبرى 4/104)

Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (Radhiallahu Anhu) used to cover his body (properly) at the time of sleeping to ensure that his private parts do not become exposed. 

2. One should sleep early with the intention of waking up for Tahajjud.

عن أبي الدرداء يبلغ به النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال من أتى فراشه وهو ينوي أن يقوم يصلي من الليل فغلبته عيناه حتى أصبح كتب له ما نوى وكان نومه صدقة عليه من ربه  رواه النسائي وابن ماجه بإسناد جيد ورواه ابن حبان في صحيحه من حديث أبي ذر أو أبي الدرداء على الشك (الترغيب و الترهيب 1/69)

Hadhrat Abu Dardaa (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever goes to sleep at night with the intention of standing up to perform tahajjud salaah, and his eyes overpower him till the time of Fajr, he will receive the reward of tahajjud based on his intention and his sleep will be regarded as a sadaqah (blessing) he received from His Rabb."