Manners of Sleeping

Found this useful info in www.zikr.co.uk:


1. One should recite 'Bismillah' whilst closing the doors and latching the lock.
2. Containers with foodstuff including water should be covered with the recitation of 'Bismillah'.
3. To put out any burning fire i.e. candles, fireplace etc..
4. To switch off or put out anything that may catch alight if left on.
5. To discuss, with members of the household, matters relating to Islam. For example, by telling stories (of Sahabas, etc.) or simply talking about matters that pleases the family but within the confines of Shariah.
6. To have available Surma and apply three times in the right and left eye.
7. It is desirable (Mustahab) to sleep with wudhu the Sunnah way.
8. To sleep in the state of purity, (i.e. with Wudhu and Ghusl if necessary). If one has just made Wudhu prior to the sleep then it would not be necessary to repeat the Wudhu. If one is not able to make Wudhu then tayammum (dry ablution) will suffice.
9. To lay or spread the bed yourself.
10. To clean the bed three times with a cloth before sleeping.
11. When a child reaches the age of ten, he must not sleep in the same room as his sister, mother or another woman except his wife.
12. For two men to sleep on one bed or in one blanket is not permissible, it has been prohibited in the hadith.
13. A child of ten must not sleep in the same bed as the husband and wife.
14. The feet should not be facing towards Makkah or Madinah.
15. Before sleeping recite 'Bismillah' and the three Quls , and thereafter to blow on the palms and rub three times on one's entire body ' beginning from the head and ending at the toes.
16. To use a pillow is Sunnah (to rest one's head on).
17. The Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) disliked lying on the stomach.
18. Do not have your feet facing the Qur'an or other religious books and if the books are higher than the feet there is no problem.
19. To recite any Surah from the Qur'an one remembers, especially Surah Mulk , Surah Sajdah , Surah Bani Israeel and Surah Zumar .
20. To recite Surah Waaqi'ah before sleeping as this safeguards one from hunger and poverty.
21. To recite Tasbih-e-Fatima and Kalimah Tayyab once, before sleeping.
22. To keep a prayer mat for the Tahajjud prayer besides the head is a Sunnah.
23. When going to sleep, remember your grave as you will be sleeping on your own with your deeds and no one will be there with you.
24. Remember Allah (The Exalted) because the state a person sleeps in is the state in which one will wake up.
25. Do not sleep after 'Asr as there is a chance of loosing the intellect and it is disliked (Makrooh) to sleep in the beginning part of the morning and between Maghrib and Isha.