Sleeping facedown

374

Q 7: Is it true that it is unfavorable to sleep facedown? I was told that it is Makruh (disliked), because it is the posture of Satan. However, (Part No. 26; Page No. 147) I am used to sleeping this way since I was a child, and I still do it as a habit. What is the ruling on this?

A: It is Makruh to sleep facedown, according to what was narrated by Abu Dawud on the authority of Tukhfah ibn Qays Al-Ghifary who said, While I was lying facedown in the Masjid (mosque) late at night, a man began to nudge me with his foot and then said, "This is a posture that Allah hates." I looked and saw that he was the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). (Narrated by Abu Dawud in the chapter called "A person's lying facedown"). This should be stopped, even if it is a habit, because a Muslim should quit habits that are contradictory to Shari`ah (Islamic law).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.