[Commentary]

What follows completes the ḥadiths dealing with the etiquette of sleep and lying down. The author here cites the report of Yaʿīsh ibn Ṭukhfah al-Ghifārī, who said: “My father told me that he was sleeping in the mosque on his stomach when a man began nudging him with his foot and said, ‘This is a way of lying down that Allah detests.’ I looked up and found it was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).”

This narration shows that a person ought not to sleep on his stomach, especially in places frequented by others, for if people see him in that posture it is something they find distasteful. If, however, someone is suffering abdominal pain and finds this position more comfortable, there is no harm in it, for necessity permits it.

The report also demonstrates the permissibility of gently prodding a person with one’s foot, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—the humblest of all people—did so himself. Such an action is not in and of itself arrogance, unless the person doing it harbors pride in his heart; that would be another matter. Simply nudging someone with your foot is not arrogance, yet circumstances must be considered: if you fear the person might think you are belittling or despising him, then refrain. Whenever a permissible act leads to a prohibited consequence, it must be avoided.