The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: When one you sleeps, the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with, "You have a long night, so sleep." So if one awakes and mentions Allah, a knot will be loosened; if he performs ablution another knot will be loosened; and if he prays, the third knot will be loosened; and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise he will be in bad spirits and sluggish.
Hadith Text & Context
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When one of you sleeps, the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with, 'You have a long night, so sleep.' So if one awakes and mentions Allah, a knot will be loosened; if he performs ablution another knot will be loosened; and if he prays, the third knot will be loosened; and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise he will be in bad spirits and sluggish." (Sunan Abi Dawud 1306)
Spiritual Significance of the Three Knots
The three knots represent spiritual impediments placed by Satan to distance the believer from divine remembrance. Each knot symbolizes a barrier to worship: the first obstructs the tongue from dhikr, the second prevents physical purification, and the third hinders the performance of prayer.
The devil's whisper "You have a long night, so sleep" exploits human weakness, encouraging procrastination in worship by making the night appear lengthy and sleep more appealing than devotion.
Progressive Spiritual Liberation
Mentioning Allah upon awakening loosens the first knot, awakening the heart to divine consciousness. Performing ablution addresses the second knot, purifying both body and intention. Prayer completes the liberation, as standing before Allah in submission severs the final satanic bond.
This sequence demonstrates Islam's holistic approach to worship - beginning with remembrance, progressing through purification, and culminating in formal prayer.
Consequences of Neglect
Failure to undertake these spiritual practices leaves the knots intact, resulting in spiritual heaviness and lethargy. The "bad spirits and sluggishness" described are both physical manifestations and spiritual states indicating distance from Allah's grace.
This contrast between the active, joyful believer and the sluggish, dispirited one illustrates the tangible effects of spiritual discipline versus neglect in daily life.
Practical Implementation
Scholars recommend specific morning supplications upon awakening, followed promptly by ablution and either the Fajr prayer or voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud). This prophetic prescription ensures beginning each day with spiritual vitality.
The hadith emphasizes that Islamic worship transforms both inner states and outward productivity, making religious practice integral to worldly success and spiritual fulfillment.