In the Qur’an, Allah gave us advice, which is to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Allah SWT said in chapter 33:21 (Certainly, you have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allâh for one who hopes (to meet) Allâh and the Last Day and who remembers Allâh again and again).
Following the Sunnah has many benefits, in this life and the afterlife, but the most important one is that it is a mean that we can use to reach the state to be loved by Allah SWT.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah the Exalted has said: ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him, and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him”. [Al- Bukhari].
In this Hadith, we can understand that the more we follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) the more Allah SWT will love us, and the benefits of that are self-explanatory in this Hadith.
To follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) we don’t always need to make a great effort physically, it can actually be a small action that you can do effortlessly, like Dhikr, a few words you say can have a huge reward in this life and the other.
One example is what to say before sleeping.
In this article we will see a few Hadiths where we can learn Adkhar Alnawm, to learn what the prophet used to do before sleeping.
1. Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RA) reported: that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) directed me thus: “Whenever you go to bed, perform Wudu’ as you do for Salat then (before sleeping) and then lie down on the right side and recite: ‘O Allah! I have submitted myself to You, I have turned myself to You, committed my affairs to You, and sought Your refuge for protection out of desire for You and fear of You (expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment). There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet (PBUH) You have sent.”‘ Messenger of Allah (PBUH) added: “If anyone recites these words and dies during the night, he will die on the true Deen, and if he remains alive till the morning, he will obtain good. And make this supplication your last words (before sleeping).” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim].
2. Ali (RA) narrated: Fatima complained about the blisters on her hand because of using a mill-stone. She went to ask the Prophet for servant. The Prophet then said, “Shall I not tell you of a thing which is better for you than a servant? When you (both) go to your beds, say ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty-four times, and ‘Subhan Allah’ thirty-three times, ‘Al hamdu ‘illah’ thirty-three times, for that is better for you than a servant.” Ibn Seereen said, “Subhan Allah’ (is to be said for) thirty-four times.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim].
3. In Your name my Lord, I lie down and in Your name, I rise, so if You should take my soul then have mercy upon it, and if You should return my soul then protect it in the manner You do so with Your righteous servants. [Al-Bukari].
4. O Allah, verily You have created my soul and You shall take its life, to You belongs its life and death. If You should keep my soul alive then protect it, and if You should take its life then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You to grant me good health.’ [Muslim].
5. O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the day Your servants are resurrected. [Abu Dawud].
6. In Your name O Allah, I live and die. [Al-Bukhari, Muslim].
7. All praise is for Allah, Who fed us and gave us drink, and Who is sufficient for us and has sheltered us, for how many have none to suffice them or shelter them. [Muslim].
