Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

Other occupations

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to sleep on a leather mattress stuffed with the bark of date-palm, or on ordinary mat, or on a piece of canvas or leather or sometimes on a bedstead plaited with rush strings. At home he sometimes sat resting on a pillow. [Zad-ul-Ma’ad]

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) liked the canvas on which he rested to be folded only once and during sleep, the sound of his breathing was quite noticeable.

He used to rest on his back with one leg lying over the other but in such a way that those parts of the body which are required to remain covered are not exposed but he has forbidden to rest in this manner if there is such a likelihood. [Zadul Ma’ad]

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) never slept before the Isha’ (night) prayer.

He never slept in a house in which a lamp has not been lit. [Zadul Ma’ad]

If the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) intended to take rest while he was in a state of uncleanliness (needing of Ghusl-bath), he would wash the unclean parts and then perform ablution. [Zadul Ma’ad]

It was usual for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) to perform ablution before going to bed.

If he happened to wake up during any part of the night, he would wash his hands before going to sleep again. [Zadul-Ma’ad]

Before going to sleep he used to change his tahband, put off his tunic and hang it, then he would dust the bedding with a piece of cloth. [Zadul Ma’ad]

At night, a wooden vessel was kept under the bedstead. If he woke up at night, he would pass water in the vessel. An antimony container was always placed at the head of the bed. He used to apply antimony at sleeping time. The color of the antimony container was invariably black. When he used the antimony he would apply the needle thrice to each eye and sometimes only twice and then one measure to both eyes. (lbn-e-Sa’d).

At bed time, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to discuss odd matters with his family members, sometimes about the household affairs and sometimes Muslims in general.  [NashrutTib]