Revive a Sunnah

In the name of Allah

Revive a Sunnah: Wiping Sleep from the Face

Ibn Abbass (radi Allahu anhuma) narrated that he spent the night at his aunt’s [Maymunah] house (radi Allahu anha). He said, “I lied across the pillow while my aunt and Allah’s messenger both lied on the pillow. The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) slept until a little before or after the middle of the night. He (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) woke up and began to wipe the sleep from his face with both his hands…”

Collected by Bukhari (183) and Muslim (763)

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) commented on this hadeeth saying: This hadeeth shows it’s permissible to spend the night in a house with a man and his wife under two conditions:

1. Permission is granted from both spouses.

2. No hardship results from this action.

The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to wake up early at night, before the middle part. He would stay awake until about a sixth of its part remained, then go back to sleep until the call for Fajr. This is what he did most of the time, and sometimes he remained awake from the middle of the night until Fajr.

It is a legislated (recommend) act to wipe the sleep from the face when waking up. By doing so you’ll find energy.“ [Sharh Saheeh Bukhari By Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen Hadeeth # 183]