7 Islamic articles on: Islam and sleep

Table of contents for the topic Islam and sleep
  1. Does Islam ask us to sacrifice good sleep and productivity for worship?
  2. Sleeping with feet pointing toward a book of Quran
  3. Is it forbidden to sleep after the asr prayer?
  4. Is it obligatory to say a dua or make wudu before sleep?
  5. Islam and the manners of sleeping
  6. Being a night person as a Muslim
  7. She needs ten hours of sleep every night

IslamQA: Does Islam ask us to sacrifice good sleep and productivity for worship?

Brother Allah has made the night for rest & day for work. If a person gets up during the night for an hour or so for tahajjud its natural that during the daytime he 'll feel sleepy and not be as productive. He wont be able as alert in the daytime and his day-night schedule will be unbalanced. Please explain how to reconcile these two.

People during the time of the Prophet PBUH used to sleep for a number of hours in the afternoon, so in this way they got a healthy amount of sleep during the 24 hours. But you are right, if you stay up to pray then it can affect you negatively the next day. Personally I’m very sensitive to bad sleep and I can barely get anything done the next day if I don’t get my 8 hours of sleep.

I don’t think there is any virtue in ruining one’s sleep and productivity for the sake of worship. What matters is to make the effort to do extra worship in whatever way that fits your schedule.

IslamQA: Sleeping with feet pointing toward a book of Quran

It was brought to my attention by a relative that I shouldn't be sleeping with my feet facing towards a quran. I have a bookshelf facing the foot of my bed. Is it a big deal?

As long as the mushaf (book of Quran) is on a shelf then there is no issue. It’s only a problem if it is at the same level as your feet.

References:

IslamQA: Is it forbidden to sleep after the asr prayer?

Assalamualaikum brother. Is it forbidden to sleep after salat al ‘asr صلاة العصر ? Is there any hadits?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

There is no authentic evidence that sleeping after the asr prayer is forbidden or disliked. Some of the early scholars disliked it, but they explained it based on their own reasoning, not based on Quranic or hadith evidence.

References:

IslamQA: Islam and the manners of sleeping

esselamu alejkum I have a question regarding islamic way of "sleeping". I read one must sleep on right side some websites talk like left is bad evil ect. Is that true first of all and how can it be? I sleep on L and R and back side, sometimes my back hurts and left side just feels better to fall asleep. I have slept on my belly too when I had some issues? Why would GOD care about that I don't understand the logic behind it. Also body constantly shifts during sleep because if you sleep constantly on now side you would be in pain/discomfort. What do you know about that? Thank you for your answer.

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

The Prophet PBUH preferred using the right side in most things, and from that the manners of things like sleeping is derived. This is just a recommendation. I know some Muslims make a big deal of it, but in my view, as someone who has read Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim and other hadith sources, I can tell you that it is a very minor issue. Personally I sleep on whatever side I prefer. In fact I often sleep on my left side because the right side gives me stomach trouble.

As for sleeping on the stomach, please see this answer: Sleeping on the stomach is not clearly forbidden or disliked in Islam

IslamQA: Being a night person as a Muslim

Salamu alaikum. Brother, is there a thing such as a "nocturnal person"? What do you think of such person who is wide awake at night and sleeping during the day? Is it mentioned in the Quran whether it is prohibited or not?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

That is often caused by having caffeine late in the day. As for the Islamic view, I know of no Quranic verses or hadiths that apply directly to it.

During Ramadan I often stay up the whole night until fajr because I am unable to work (programming and writing) when I am fasting, and to avoid spending an entire month unproductively, I switch my schedule so that I stay up at night and sleep during the day. I know some preachers speak against this, but since there is no clear evidence against it, and since my intention is not to avoid the difficulties of fasting but to be able to work, I believe it is fine.

IslamQA: She needs ten hours of sleep every night

Assallamualeykum! I find it very hard to sleep less since my very childhood. If I don't get enough sleep, I get annoyed easily. The perfect amount for me is 10 hours. And I think, more than affecting my success in life, this much sleep takes me away from prayers from time to time. I've tried some tips, but nothing helped so far. do u have any suggestions? and could everyone please pray for me to overcome this issue? jazakallahu khayran.

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

Sleeping that long could be a sign of a medical condition, depression or loneliness. When I lived alone due to work for 3 months, I would often sleep for 12 hours a night. But now that I am back with my wife and children I am back to sleeping 8 hours a night.

So try to see a medical professional if possible, maybe they can help you. And if you think you are lonely try to do something about it if possible.

According to my understanding, loneliness and depression raise systemic inflammation, and this makes the body seek “healing” by making you sleep longer. Once the cause of the inflammation is removed (for example by no longer being lonely), then the need for extra sleep is removed.

Best wishes.