Question: Why is it not allowed to sleep on my stomach in Islam?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى اله و اصحابه اجمعين
Answer:
Islam is a complete code of life. Therefore, Islam provides guidance for all aspects of life, from essential matters to manners and ethics. Islam prohibits anything that harms human dignity and modesty. The issue mentioned here is considered improper in light of human dignity and modesty; hence, Islam forbids sleeping on one’s stomach.
In the narrations, it is mentioned that the inhabitants of Hell will be thrown down on their faces. Due to this similarity, the Prophet ﷺ said:
It is narrated from أبو إمامة رضي الله عنه that:
“مر النبي ﷺ على رجل نائم في المسجد منبطح على وجهه فضربه برجله وقال: قم واقعد فإنها نومۃ جهنمية”
“The Prophet ﷺ passed by a man sleeping in the mosque lying on his face, so he struck him with his foot and said: ‘Get up and sit, for this is a sleep of Hellfire.’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3725)
In another narration, it is mentioned from أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه:
“رأى رسول الله ﷺ رجلا مضطجعا على بطنه فقال: إن هذه ضجعۃ لا يحبها الله”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man lying on his stomach and said: ‘This is a sleeping position that Allah does not like.’”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Therefore, every act that goes against modesty and dignity is prohibited. This prohibition is also due to it being against proper manners and etiquette.
However, if someone sleeps on their stomach due to illness, there is no harm. Similarly, if one accidentally ends up on their stomach while sleeping, there is no problem. The prohibition applies only to deliberately and intentionally sleeping on the stomach without a valid reason.
And Allah Almighty knows best
Answered by the Hafiz-e-Millat team
Verified by Maulana Naziem Qadri
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