quranandsunnah:

Sleeping, when done with the right niyah (intentions) can be considered as a good deed in the eyes of Allah. The purpose of sleeping (at night) is for our bodies and minds to take a temporary “time-out” and as a refresher to work during the day!
So use your nights wisely to sleep, and and get rewarded doing it insyallah ;)

Related verses from the Quran:

• “And among His Signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and your seeking of his Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who listen” [Al-Rum 30:23]

• “And have made your sleep as a thing of rest” [An-Naba 78:9]

       Wuduq is a form of purity and it should be taken/ performed not only for praying purposes- but for preparation to sleep aswell! That way, insyallah, you will stay pure during your sleep. In addition, the Devil (syaitaan) will be less able to harm or frighten us during our sleep. (nightmares… yikes!)

Related Hadith:

• Narrated by Al-Baraa Ibn ‘Aazib (r.a): The Prophet s.a.w said: “When you go to your bed (to sleep), then perform the same wuduq that you perform for prayers” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

• The Prophet s.a.w also said: “When you retire to your bed, while you are in a state of purity…” [Related by Imam Ahmad]

       It is also sunnah to dust off your mattress or bed before sleeping! It is known that the syaitaan is everywhere and enjoy teasing the ummah; thus doing this act can ensure that the syaitaan does NOT sleep on the same bed! Double yikes!
Summary of steps from the hadith:
1) Dust off mattress before sleeping on bed
2) Dust the mattress off three times
3) As dusting it off, say “Bismillah”
4) Use lower garment to dust (or with blanket, pillow etc)

Related Hadith:

• Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a): The Prophet s.a.w said: “When one of you retire to his bed, then let him dust of his bed three times with the side of his lower garment, for indeed, he does not know what came on it after he left it…” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

       The Prophet s.a.w would recite verses of the Quran, blow in his hands and wipe his face and body before going to sleep. In fact, he would perform this every single night so therefore we as his ummah should practice this noble act too! This way, insyallah, Allah would protect us from Black Magic (sihir) and evil.

Related Hadith:

• Narrated by ‘Aisha (r.a): “Upon going to bed each night, the Prophet s.a.w would bring his palms together. Then he would blow into his hands, and then he would recite into them: Qul huwal’allu ahad, Qul’a’outhu birrabbil-falaq and Qul’a’outhu birrabbin-nas (the last 3 verses in the Quran). Then he would wipe his hands over as much of his body as he was able to, he would begin with his head and face, and the front part of his body. He would do this three times.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

• From Abu Huraira (r.a): “When retiring to bed, recite complete verse of the Ayatul Kursi; for indeed you will continue to have a protector over you from Allah, and no syaitan will come near you until morning” [Al-Bukhari, Book of Al-Wakaalah]

       Sleeping on the right side (with hand under cheek) was indeed the way of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w sleep! This way of sleeping has several benefits (scientifically proven): It helps a person wake up with energy and when compared to sleeping on one’s left side, less weight is put on the heart thus it’s healthier! 
Subhanallah!

Related Hadith:

• Narrated by Hudhaifah (r.a): “Whenever The Prophet s.a.w lay down for sleep at night, he would place his (right) hand under his cheek and make dua:
‘Bismika Allahuma amutu wa ahya’” (Oh Allah, with your Name will I die and live) [Al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bahri 11:13, Muslim 4:2083]

Source : Owhsomuslim

islamicthinking:

There once was a little boy called Hassan who lived in a small village in Pakistan. Hassan’s family were poor and they just about had enough to make ends meet. To help the family Hassan used to sell baskets, rope and other hand-made items from door-to-door. The money not only helped his family but also paid his way through school. On one of the many hot days in the village, Hassan was out working away, he found his pockets to be empty & he was hungry. It was a blazing hot day & Hassan had another hour or so to go before he got home.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. The young woman, upon seeing the boy thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk instead. When Hassan saw the milk, his eyes lit up. “Jazakallah”, he said softly. He drank the milk slowly, and then suddenly remembering he had no money quickly asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” the young woman replied. “My mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” Hassan replied “Then jazakallah & I thank you from my heart.”

Life went on & year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled by her illness. So much so they finally sent her to the big city, where they called in a specialist to study her rare disease. The specialist, after a long struggle & an operation helped cure the woman of her ailment. When the hospital tallied up the charges for the treatment, they sent the final bill to the specialist to check. He looked at it, wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent back to be given to the woman.

When the woman, who was recuperating in hospital got the bill, she feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. She cautiously opened the envelope and took out the bill. On the side of the bill was a hand-written note, “Paid in full with one glass of milk.” (Signed) Dr. Hassan Amin. Tears of joy flooded her eyes. Kindness surely pays back.

#islam #inspiration