that I trembled with awe. Reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi.

824 – Al-Sharid ibn Suwayd said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by me while I was sitting like this—I had placed my left hand behind my back and was leaning on the base of my palm—whereupon he said, “Do you sit in the manner of those who have incurred wrath?” Reported by Abu Dawud with a sound chain.

Commentary
This chapter, which al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—devoted to sleeping on one’s back, follows what has already been mentioned: that the preferred position for anyone wishing to sleep is on the right side, and that sleeping on the stomach is not appropriate except out of necessity. What remains is sleeping on the back, and there is no objection to it provided one is sure that the private parts will stay covered. If a person fears exposure—for example, he raises one leg so that his waist-wrap rides up while he is not wearing trousers—then it is inadvisable. If, however, he is confident that his private parts will remain concealed, there is no harm in it. A fourth position remains, namely sleeping on the left side; this, too, is not