Shaking Out the Bed

Shaking out the bed before sleeping is a sunnah of caution that the Prophet advised.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised shaking out the bed three times with the edge of one's garment on returning to it, since a person cannot know what has gotten into the bed in their absence. This habit shows both attention to cleanliness and the value of preparing properly before any act.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

This sunnah rests on the following hadith. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.

• T3401 Tirmizî, Deavât, 20

More sunnahs in Sleep Etiquette

As a table with references: Sleep Etiquette sunnahs.

• Lying on the Right Side: Lying on the right side with the right hand under the cheek is a sunnah of sleep.
• Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas Before Sleep: Reciting Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas before sleep is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
• Praising Allah on Waking: The first thing to do with eyes that open to a new life each morning is to praise Allah.
• Waking for Tahajjud: Waking from sleep for the night prayer is the deepest form of nearness to Allah.
• Qaylulah — The Midday Rest: A short sleep after the noon prayer is the sunnah that gives strength for night worship.