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:

Assalamu-alaikum.

Just to elaborate:

Lying on the stomach is disapproved generally, no matter where it is (e.g. at home in bed). So, this does not just apply to the masjid.

Am I correct?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Lying 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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Hadrat Yaish bin Tikhfah Al-Ghifari (r.a.) reported: ‘My father said: “I was lying down on my belly in the masjid when someone shook me with his foot, and said, "Lying down this way (upon one’s stomach) is disapproved by Allah.`` I looked up and saw that it was Messenger of Allah (saws).”’

Related by Abu Dawud.

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 lieing on the stomach is a detestable act in the Sight of Allah, for it is the position in which the Shaytaan lies and sleeps. Allah and His Messenger (saws) have categorically prohibited the believers from lying or sleeping on their stomachs, regardless of wherever they might be.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan