The Prophet chosen by Allah The Almighty as the best of all people and sent as a mercy to His slaves, was, in every aspect, the finest example of guidance to model oneself on.
He, , was the perfect role model in his worship and daily life, in public and private, whether night or day. In this short article, we will discuss his guidance in sleeping and waking up, so as to follow in his footsteps.
The Prophet, , had a perpetual bond with his Creator, so that he would constantly contemplate His Eminence, while yearning to meet Him and fearing His punishment and the reckoning of the Hereafter. So, even when he, , wanted to rest after a long hard day, he would first mention Allah The Almighty and supplicate to Him, saying: "Al-hamdu lillaah-illathi at‘amana wa saqaana, wa kafaana wa aawaana, fakam mimman la kaafiya lahu wa la mu'wiy (Praise be to Allah The Almighty, Who has given us food, drink and shelter, and provided for us; for there are many who have neither sustainer nor someone to grant them sanctuary)." [Muslim]
As he, thanked Allah The Almighty before sleeping, for the valuable provisions and a safe haven that few possess; so should we follow up every blessing with appreciation to its Giver, instead of ingratitude, as countless people subsist at bare minimum and make do without basic necessities.
Another pre-sleep routine of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was his reminding himself that all affairs of his soul are only in the hands of his Creator; he would say: "Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadhtu amri ilayk, wa-alja’tu thahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja’ wa la manja minka illa ilayk; aamantu bikitaabik al-lathi anzalt, wa nabiyyik al-lathi arsalt [O Allah! I have submitted to You, I have directed my face towards You, entrusted my affairs to You and fled to You in hope (of your reward) and in fear of You (i.e., Your punishment). There is no resort or deliverer (from hardships) but You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in Your Prophet that You have sent.]" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Thus should a Muslim be, as he lays down to sleep: in complete surrender and submission to the Creator of his soul. A similar sentiment underlies another supplication of the Prophet, , before sleeping: "Bismika Rabbi wadha‘tu janbi, wa bika arfa’uhu, in amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaha fahfathha bima tahfathu bihi ‘ibaadakas-saaliheen [By Your Name, my Lord, I rest my side (upon the bed) and with Your Grace I will get up. If You take my soul (i.e., life), have mercy on it; but if You let it go, protect it as You protect Your pious slaves]." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The manner in which the Messenger, , laid down to sleep, was placing his right hand under his right cheek, thrice supplicating: "Allahumma qini ‘athaabaka yawma tab`athu ‘ibaadak (O Allah! Protect me from Your punishment on the Day You will resurrect Your slaves)." [Abu Daawood and Ahmad].
He, , would also bring both of his hands together, blow on them, recite the last three Chapters, the 112th, 113th and 114th, of the Quran (Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq and An-Naas) and pass his hands over his body, as a protection against the evil of people and Jinn.
But what perhaps best manifests his heart’s attachment to his Lord, the Prophet, , did not tend to sleep through the night; rather, he used to arise to perform the night prayer and remembrance of His Lord, as testified to by Allah The Almighty, when He Says (what means): {They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} [Quran 32:16].
The prayers of the Prophet, , would be lengthy, as he stood supplicating to his Lord and reciting His words. ‘Aa’ishah, the Mother of Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, described it saying: "The Prophet would stand [in night prayer] so long that his feet would swell. He was asked, ‘Why do you burden yourself so, while all your sins have been forgiven?’ He replied,‘Should I not be a grateful slave?’ "[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Further, uniquely, even when he would sleep, it would only be the eyes of the Prophet, , in slumber, but his heart would remain conscious.
With regard to the habits of the Prophet, , when he arose, they were no different than those before sleeping, in the manner that they also consisted of the remembrance of Allah The Almighty. He, , would thank Him for granting him life after the minor death of sleep, saying: "Al-hamdu lillaah-illathi ahyaana ba‘da ma amaatana, wa ilayhin-nushoor [All praise to Allah Who has restored us back to life after causing us to die (figuratively, in sleep), and to Him shall we return]" [Abu Daawood]
This is just a brief synopsis of some actions of the Prophet, , before sleep and after waking up. It was written with the intention of reminding everyone of his, , guidance, hoping to follow the Sunnah of the best of the creation of Allah The Almighty, so as to be included among those mentioned in the verses (which mean):
· {And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided.} [Quran 24:54]
· {Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah The Almighty, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."} [Quran 3:31]