sleep—which is a form of death, as noted above—he drew attention to the reality of resurrection after death on the Day of Resurrection, “the Day when all people will stand before the Lord of all worlds.” Hence, it is authentically reported in al-Adab al-Mufrad from al-Barā ibn Āzib, who said: When the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—wanted to sleep, he would place his hand beneath his right cheek and say, “O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”1.

His words, “Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die,” express praise of Allah for this tremendous blessing and immense favor: being given life after death—that is, awakening after sleep. It is well known that while asleep, a person is unable to benefit from this life or perform acts of worship. When he awakens, that impediment is removed. He therefore praises Allah—Majestic and Exalted is He—for this blessing and thanks Him—Glorified is He—for this gift and gracious favor.

Closely connected and entirely consistent with this meaning is the hadith recorded by the two shaykhs, al-Bukhārī and Muslim, from Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—who reported that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “When one of you retires to bed, let him dust off his bed with the inner edge of his lower garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it after him. Then let him say: ‘In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You I raise it. If You retain my soul, have mercy upon it; and if You release it, protect it as You protect Your righteous servants.’”2.

Similar to this is the report narrated by Muslim in his Sahīh from Abdullah ibn Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both: “He instructed a man that, upon retiring to bed, he should say: ‘O Allah, You created my soul, and You cause it to die. To You belong its death and its life. If You give it life, protect it; and if You cause it to die, forgive it. O Allah,