were authentic in his view, he would at least have regarded it as recommended. It may be said that ‘Ā’ishah narrated both practices, and that he would sometimes do one and sometimes the other. Thus there is no contradiction (1), since this is permissible. And Allah knows best.

There is a subtle wisdom in his lying on his right side: the heart is suspended on the left side. When a person sleeps on his left side, he sleeps deeply because the heart is at ease and at rest. When he sleeps on his right side, however, he becomes restless and does not fall into deep sleep, because the heart is unsettled, seeks its resting place within the chest (2), and inclines toward it. For this reason, physicians recommend sleeping on the left side for complete rest and pleasant sleep (3). The Prophet, however, recommends sleeping on the right side so that a person does not sleep so deeply that he misses the night prayer. Sleeping on the right side is therefore more beneficial for the heart, while sleeping on the left is more beneficial for the body. And Allah knows best.

Section
His Guidance, Peace and Blessings Be upon Him, Concerning the Night Prayer

The earlier and later scholars differed over whether it was obligatory for him. Both groups cited Allah’s words:

“And during part of the night, pray with the Quran as an additional prayer for you.” [al-Isrā’: 79]

They said: This explicitly indicates that it was not obligatory.

The others said: Allah commanded him to pray at night in this surah, just as He commanded him in His words: “O you