Waking from sleep for the night prayer is the deepest form of nearness to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) rose from sleep to pray tahajjud at night. Though not everyone can do this easily, it is a station the believer should aim for. Being alone with Allah in the stillness of the night is the soul's deepest nourishment.
What does the hadith say?
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ،. وَحَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ يَنَامُ أَوَّلَهُ وَيَقُومُ آخِرَهُ، فَيُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ، فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَثَبَ، فَإِنْ كَانَ بِهِ حَاجَةٌ اغْتَسَلَ، وَإِلاَّ تَوَضَّأَ وَخَرَجَ.
Narrated Al-Aswad:I asked `Aisha "How is the night prayer of the Prophet?" She replied, "He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Mu'adh-dhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he was in need of a bath he would take it; otherwise he would perform ablution and then go out (for the prayer)
Text: Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 1146. Grade: sahih (hadiths in al-Bukhari and Muslim are accepted as sahih).
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadith. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- al-Bukhari, Book of the Night Prayer, 15 (hadith no. 1146)
How this page was prepared: sources and verification method.
More sunnahs in Sleep Etiquette
As a table with references: Sleep Etiquette sunnahs.
- Lying on the Right Side: Lying on the right side with the right hand under the cheek is a sunnah of sleep.
- Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas Before Sleep: Reciting Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas before sleep is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
- Praising Allah on Waking: The first thing to do with eyes that open to a new life each morning is to praise Allah.
- Shaking Out the Bed: Shaking out the bed before sleeping is a sunnah of caution that the Prophet advised.
- Qaylulah — The Midday Rest: A short sleep after the noon prayer is the sunnah that gives strength for night worship.