The Prophet was keen to give us guidance in all situations, even in the way we sit, stand or lie down. Some people today might ask why would the Prophet (peace be upon him) concern himself with such things, when they are subject to either social manners or personal choice. The answer may be in the fact that the Prophet was keen to establish a code of social and personal manners that would bring good results to both individual and society. Moreover, the Prophet might alert us to something that is good for our health, or want us to avoid something because it is harmful. Sometimes he would tell us the reason for a particular order, but he may also give an order without explanation. At times his order may be obligatory, which means that we commit an offense if we do not comply, but at other times, his order may be only a recommendation. This distinction is either expressly stated or easily deduced. We will be commenting on some Hadiths which deal with a variety of situations.
A Hadith mentions that Tikhfah ibn Qays Al-Ghifari belonged to the people of Suffah. His son quotes this report which he heard from him: “I was one night sleeping in the mosque when, toward the end of the night, someone came while I was lying on my stomach, and he alerted me with his foot. He said: ‘Wake up, This position is disliked by God.’ I lifted my head and I saw the Prophet standing over my head.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and Abu Dawood]
The people of Suffah were a group of the Prophet’s companions who were very poor and homeless. They stayed in the mosque and depended on charity for their basic needs. The Prophet used to look after them and feed them whenever he felt they needed urgent support. In fact the Hadith which we have just quoted is given by Abu Dawood in a longer version which starts with the Prophet coming to them and saying: “Let us go to Aishah’s home. We all went with him. He said to Aishah: ‘Bring us some food’, and she brought us a Jasheeshah (which is a dish made of wheat, meat and dates) which we ate. He again said to her: ‘Bring us some food to eat.’ This time, walking in short steps, she brought Haysah (which is a sweet dish made of dates and fat). He then said: ‘Give us something to drink’, and she brought us a large jug of milk which we drank. He then said: ‘Give us more to drink,’ and she brought us a small jug, and we drank. He then said: ‘You may stay the night here if you wish, and you may go back to the mosque if you prefer.’”
This version of the Hadith speaks of the Prophet’s generosity. It is clear that his wife served all the food, sweet and drink she had. The Prophet also offered them to stay the night, but they went back to the mosque. It was later in the night, when the Prophet was preparing for Fajr prayer that he saw the man lying down on his stomach and told him to change position.
We need to know that there is no special preference of how one should lie down, except this Hadith which makes clear that lying on one’s stomach is disliked by God. It does not mean that this position is forbidden, but rather it is discouraged or reprehensible. The Prophet does not explain here why it is so, and we do not add anything without guidance. But we say that if someone is uncomfortable in other positions, or if he is ill and needs to lie in this position, then his situation may override the ruling.
It is well known that Muslims generally prefer to use their right hand, particularly in eating and drinking. This is taught by the Prophet who is quoted as saying: “No one should eat or drink with his left hand, for Satan uses his left hand for eating and drinking.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood).
This is a general recommendation that is extended to other activities. One version of this Hadith adds that we should not take or give anything with our left hands. In the Islamic sense the right hand is always associated with goodness and happiness. Those who will go to heaven in the hereafter are described in the Qur’an as “the people of the right”, or “those on the right hand side”, while the ones who go to hell are called “the people of the left”, or “those on the left hand side.” Moreover, the Arabic term yameen, which means the right hand, is derived from a root that signifies goodness and goodly expectations.
Having said that, it should be pointed out that this is a general recommendation. If one is left-handed and finds it difficult to use one’s right hand for ordinary tasks, there is no harm for such a person to use his or her left hand. As for Satan, we know about him only what we are told in the Qur’an and the Hadith. Apparently he eats and drinks, but he uses his left hand. This is enough reason for us to use our right hands in order to show that we always want to take a different path to his.
A similar Hadith quotes Abu Umamah, a companion of the Prophet, as saying: “Satan may throw a little stick or pebble on someone’s bed after his wife had prepared it, so that he would stir trouble between the man and his wife. If you find something you dislike on your bed, do not get angry with your wife, because it is done by Satan.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
We are told in the Qur’an that when Satan was expelled from heaven, he vowed to do everything in his power to dislodge Adam and his progeny from the right path. So, he tempts us to violate every rule in God’s message, and to indulge our pleasures in every way. If we do so, we please him and displease God. Similarly Satan tries to sow discord among us, creating trouble within the same family or between friends, brothers and sisters. If we fall into his trap, we end up losing either a reward or something that we really care for. Here we are told that he might stir trouble between man and wife by spoiling her work. We should know that when we have cordial and caring relations with our friends and family, we leave little room for Satan to trouble us. It is when we are angry that he can tempt us into doing what is wrong. Therefore, if one is always ready to overlook mistakes and pardon those who are close to him, he ends up in better relations with them and gets more reward from God.
This Hadith may be taken literally or figuratively. In both cases its message is true.
— Arab News Islam 17 October 2003