Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

its not really islamic laws but it says that allah does not like one who sleeps on his stomatch. i do not mean to be rude by asking why this is so..i tend to sleep a lot on my stomatch..it helps me sleep so i felt very...curious when i read this saying in a book..plz reply soon. thanku

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Answer:

Sleeping on stomach

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: i do not mean to be rude by asking why this is so..

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 79-80: We have sent you (O Mohamed) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah’s witness suffices for this. Whoever obeys the Messenger, in fact obeys Allah, and whoever turns away from him, he will be accountable for his deeds. Anyhow, we have not sent you (O Mohamed) to be a guardian over them.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 31-32: O Prophet, tell the people, “If you sincerely love Allah, follow me. Then Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for He is All Forgiving, All Merciful.” Also say to them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” And if, in spite of this, they do not accept your invitation, warn them that Allah does not love those, who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 59 Surah Hashr verse 7 (part): So take what the Messenger (saws) assigns to you and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment.

Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, once we declare our belief and submit our will to the Will of Allah Subhanah, we are bound by our covenant with Him to leave aside our likes and dislikes, and unconditionally obey each and every command of Allah and His Messenger (saws)!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 36:

It does not behove a believing man and a believing woman that when Allah and His Messenger have given their decision in a matter, they should exercise an option in that matter of theirs. For whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed into manifest error.

If one challenges or refuses to obey any command of Allah and His Messenger (saws) because of his personal likes or dislikes; then it would indeed be considered disobedience! But if one asks or strives to study the wisdom behind the commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws) so that one’s heart may be content, and he may follow the command with more conviction, there is absolutely no harm. Thus a believer is absolutely encouraged and is well within his rights to ask ‘why this is so..’ if the intention is purely to search for the wisdom behind this or any command of Allah and His Messenger (saws). But regardless of whether or not we understand or accept the wisdom, our duty as believers when it comes to any command of Allah and His Mesenger (saws) is to ‘listen and obey’.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4718 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

When Allah's Messenger (saws) saw a man lying on his stomach he said, "This is a method of lying down which Allah does not like."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4731 Narrated by Abu Dharr

The Prophet (saws) came upon him when he was lying on his stomach, jerked him with his foot and said, "Jundub, only those who go to Hell (the Shayateen) lie like this!"

Sleeping or lying on the stomach is a detestable act in the sight of Allah, for it is the position in which the Shaytaan lies and sleeps; and Allah and His Messenger (saws) have prohibited the believers to do anything which would emulate the Shaytaan. This command of the Messenger of Allah (saws) is very similar to his command whereby he prohibited the believers to eat or drink with their left hand; for the Shaytaan always eats with his left hand. This command of the prohibition of sleeping on one’s stomach may or may not have physical or material wisdom, but is amongst the knowledge of the ‘unseen’ provided by Allah Subhanah to His Messenger (saws), which he (saws) made known to the believers.

Your Statement: i tend to sleep a lot on my stomatch..it helps me sleep so i felt very...curious when i read this saying in a book..

Dear and Beloved Sister, sleeping on the stomach might be a habit which you might have developed; but after the coming of the knowledge to you it becomes your duty to now manifest your obedience to the command of Allah and His Messenger (saws) and strive to change your habit. If you can bring yourself to change your habit only because it is the command of Allah and His Messenger (saws), rest assured that you will have your due reward from Allah for your obedience in the Hereafter. Your striving to change your habit might be a small change in your lifestyle, but Allah is our witness, your reward for your obedience to the command of the Messenger of Allah (saws) will earn you a huge reward from the Merciful Lord in the Hereafter.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan