Islamic Sleeping Rules: Things to Do Before Going to Bed

It is important to sleep adequately, a necessary component of our daily lives for both the body and the mind to rest after a long day.

 Islamic teachings guide Muslims not only on practices related to worship but also on their daily habits such as getting ready to go to sleep. Performing all actions required when going to sleep following the way of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) would help develop good habits as well as maintain cleanliness while remembering Allah.

The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged Muslims to do a number of things when getting ready to sleep that included safety measures to be taken when preparing for the night. These have been briefly discussed in previous passages with points such as securing your drinks and your food. It also includes measures such as shutting off fire before going to sleep.

Do these before going to sleep:

In order for one to sleep peacefully Muslims should make certain provisions around their home when going to bed as taught by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). The Muslim should turn off their lights, shut doors if needed, keep containers of food and drink covered. Actions such as these promote personal responsibility and responsibility in and around the home. As transmitted through Jabir(ra):

"When you go to bed turn off your lights, lock your doors, put away bottles covering the drinks and cover your foods."
(Related by Muslim and Ibn Habban)
Also remember that if the food is not covered using a lid or some container; then use a piece of wood or something similar just to cover it slightly; as was instructed through the same hadith for Muslims not to leave their pots uncovered.

Sahih Bukhari: 74 chapter for drinks

Extinguish lights/fire while going to bed:

Remember to close your windows when retiring to bed.

The second action taken before Muslims go to sleep is putting out any flames that are potentially dangerous from their surroundings. 

This often occurred during times when most households had oil lamps for lights; if any flames were left burning without notice this could very likely result in a house fire during the night. As transmitted through Abu Musa(ra):

A house in the night during Medina took fire and the Prophet (pbuh) was mentioned of this and as a response said:
"These are flames that pose risk to you at night, put off your fire whenever you go to bed."
(Related by Al- Bukhari and Muslim)
When going to bed consider making reasonable safety checks where fire and/or candles/matches may pose a risk. Muslims would not leave these items unattended so it’s logical not to go to bed if you see potential danger; same if you use gas. You can use electric switches, ensure that they have been switched off properly.

The last action discussed in Islam when sleeping is to perform wudu before sleeping

So remember, the rules of Islam require Muslims to perform basic daily routine things to assure protection, to ensure cleanliness and not forgetting to mention Allah before retiring for the night.

Perform ablution before going to bed:

A Sunnah during Muslims nightly routine after they have carried out the usual actions performed before sleeping, i.e.: getting ready to sleep physically; taking food or something to drink, to perform wudu, which is considered purity to prepare muslims for worship and general cleanliness. As passed down to us through Al-Bara ibn Azeb (ra):

"When you go to your bed perform ablution as you do for salat,"
(Related by Bukhari, Islamic book of ablution 7/154)
It adds a purification that Muslims perform when going to sleep. Such practice, if observed when preparing to sleep would enable the servant to conclude the day not only by pleasing his creator through this act of Sunnah but also a way of finishing his day in the state of purity.

Make sure your bedroom and house are safe:

It also says take the opportunity to examine the surroundings of your bedroom and the home in general before going to bed. 

By just spending a few minutes you can guarantee yourself a comfortable night’s sleep and this is seen as fulfilling a right within the family when it comes to taking responsibility for protection. 

The action can be summarized as mentioned above by checking food and drink containers, closing windows/doors and etc.

Perform the act of Sunnah while sleeping:

Remember it becomes necessary for Muslims to bring to themselves an awareness during everyday normal routines of anything that they have performed/done through observing the Sunnah, that may help improve the practice.

 It must be kept in mind however, that Islam encourages good habit where the spiritual nature of prayer and mentioning Allah is made central whereas other Islamic habits of everyday life may be seen with a less concerned outlook however still a encouraged deed. It is about knowing the limits Islam has put on the act and adhering to it fully.

Conclusion

The sleeping guidelines recommended by Islam involve essential safety precautions at household levels, covering food and drinks to conserve purity and hygiene as well as preparing and performing Ablution before retiring for the night. 

Implementing these Sunnah habits into our nightly rituals makes the transition into sleep become a truly peaceful experience and is one method whereby believers remember and abide by the teachings of Allah.

So the takeaway of following Islamic sleeping rules are as: Safeguard yourself and your home with basic precautions, cover your foods & drinks, secure what is within your house (if possible), extinguish dangers fire/flames if applicable and remember to do Wudu before closing your eyes to sleep.