When a person camps or sleeps in an unfamiliar place where he fears the attack of harmful insects or creatures, he is urged to seek Allah's (d8) protection through His complete words, which include His books and His decree. Khawlah Bint Hakim (Me) reported that she heard the Prop…

"Whoever stops at a place (for camping or rest) and says: "A'uthu bikalimat-illah it-tammati min sharri ma Khalaq - I seek refuge in Allah's complete words from all that He created," nothing will harm him While he stays at that place."

It is NOT recommended to stay awake all night — even for night worship. This would conflict with the Prophet's (8) Sunnah and with the human nature. Anas (4k) reported that a number of young men, having inquired from the Prophet's (l) wives about his manner of worship, reasoned t…

"Recorded by Muslim (2708), an-Nasa'T, and others. Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi, and others. Verified to be hasan by al-Aibani (as-Sahihah no. 264). Indeed, by Allah, I fear Allah and revere Him better than any of you; yet, I fast (some days) and break my fast (on others), I pray (part of the night) and sleep (the other part), and I marry women. So, anyone who dislikes my Sunnah is not (a follower) of me."

'A'ishah (es) reported that she once told the Prophet (88) about a woman who would stay up all night (in worship). The Prophet (504) said (disapprovingly):

"She does not sleep the whole night!? Take upon yourselves only deeds that you can (consistently) maintain, for, by Allah, Allah is never bored (i.e., never stops accepting your deeds) until you are bored (by interrupting your heavy worship)."

It is important to go to bed with a high level of cleanliness. This includes thoroughly washing the hands from food remains or filth. Abu Hurayrah and Ibn 'Abbas () reported that the Prophet (Ma) said:

"Whoever has residues of greasy food on his hand and goes to sleep without washing them off, then if something happens to him during the night (like a sting or bite), let him blame none but himself."

It is recommended to go to bed with taharah (physical purity), which involves ghusl (if needed) or wudu. Al-Bara' Bin 'Azib (a) reported that the Prophet (A) told him:

"When you go to bed, perform a wudu' like that for the prayer, then lie on your right side."

"Whenever a Muslim goes to sleep while he has 1 Recorded by al-Bukhari (247), Muslim (2710), and others. Recorded by Ibn Hibban and at -Tabarani. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as- Sahihah no.. 2539 and Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib nos. 597, 599). taharah and while extolling Allah, and then wakes up during the night and asks Allah for any good from this life or the hereafter, He will grant it to him.> 1 The above discussion does not mean that a person may not go to sleep and invoke Allah while he is junub 2 or without wudu. A'ishah () reported: " While he was junub, Allah's Messenger (i8) would (sometimes) sleep without touching any water — until he would later get up and perform ghusl." 3 And 'A'ishah (te) also reported: " The Prophet (8) invoked Allah (ie) at all times (and situations)." 4 This clearly included the times when he (l) was junub and slept without touching any water. Therefore, it is permissible to go to sleep and invoke Allah (g) while in a state of janabah. However, it is much better to be then in full taharah. If this is sometimes impractical or difficult, one should at least try to perform wudu before sleeping. 'A'ishah (le) reported: 1 Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be authentic by al- Albani (Sahth ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 598 and as-Sahihah no. 3288). 2 Janabah is the state of physical "uncleanliness" caused by intercourse or ejaculation. This state can only be ended by ghusl. "Junub" is a person with janabah. 3 Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al- Albani (Adab uz-Zifaf p. 116). 4 Recorded by Muslim (373). " When the Prophet (S4) was junub and wanted to eat or sleep, he would wash his private parts and perform wudi like he would for the prayer." ! Ibn Umar reported that he asked the Prophet (), "May one of us go to sleep while he is junub?" The Prophet (1) replied: Yes, but after performing wudu' — if he wishes.> 2 It is recommended to fall asleep while lying on the right side. This was the Prophet's (184) practice. Al-Bara', Huthayfah, Abu Tharr, and Haf sah (8) reported: " When the Prophet (b9) went to bed, he would put his hand under his right cheek." 3 The Prophet (A) also instructed his companions to do the same. In al-Bara' Bin 'Azib's (4) earlier hadith, the Prophet (4) said: When you go to bed, perform a wudu' like that for the prayer, then lie on your right side."

Sahih — al-Bukhari (247), Muslim (2710)

The above discussion indicates that it is recommended to fall asleep while lying on the right side, but does not necessarily call for this throughout the night's sleep. It is permissible to lie down or sleep on the left side. Jabir Bin Samurah (4) reported: "I saw Allah's Messeng…

"Let no one among you lie on his back and then raise one foot to place it over the other."

It is prohibited to sleep face-down on the stomach. Abu Hurayrah (4) reported that the Prophet (B) saw a man lying down on his stomach, so he said:

"Indeed, this is a manner of sleep that Allah (08) dislikes."

Similarly, Tikhfah al-Ghifari (4) reported that once, while he was Iying on his stomach in the Masjid at dawn, he felt someone nudge him with his foot. He looked up and saw Allah's Messenger (la), who told him:

"Get up. Indeed, this is a manner of sleep that Allah (8g) hates."

It is prohibited for a Muslim to sleep in a place that puts him in danger or threatens his life. 'Ali Bin Shayban, Jabir, and other companions (ut) reported that the Prophet (ia) said:

"Recorded by Muslim (2099), Abu Dawud, and others. Recorded by at-Tirmithi, Ibn Hibban, and others. Verified to be authentic by al- Albani (Hidayat ur-Ruwah no. 4644). 3 Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be authentic by al- Albani (Hidayat ur-Ruwah no. 4645 and al-Adab ul-Mufrad no. 1187). Whoever sleeps on a house's roof that has no rail (or cover) and then falls and dies, we take no responsibility for him."

It is disliked to sleep lonely. Ibn 'Umar (te) reported:

"Allah's Messenger () prohibited solitude, which is to sleep lonely or travel lonely."

Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al- Albani (as-Sahihah no. 828 and al-Adab ul-Mufrad nos. 1192, 1194). 2 Recorded by Ahmad. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no. 60). Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and others. Verified to…

"Let not a man look at another man's 'awrah (or nakedness), nor a woman at another woman's. And let not a man sleep under the same cover with another man, nor a woman with another woman."