The Book of Prayer - Travellers

Sahih Muslim 742

Hadith Text

"Never did the earlier part of the dawn find the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) but sleeping in my house or near me."

Commentary

This narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) indicates the Prophet's regular practice of spending the first part of the night in her residence. The "earlier part of the dawn" refers to the time before Fajr prayer. Scholars explain this demonstrates the Prophet's equitable division of time among his wives and his commitment to justice in marital relations.

Imam al-Nawawi comments that this hadith shows the Prophet's custom of spending nights with his wives in rotation, and that he would be present in Aisha's dwelling during her turn until the time of the dawn prayer. This practice exemplifies the Sunnah of maintaining balance and fairness in household matters.

The phrasing "sleeping in my house or near me" indicates the Prophet's physical presence and attention to his family responsibilities, while also preparing for the night prayer (Tahajjud) which he would perform during the latter part of the night.

Juridical Rulings

This hadith establishes the recommended practice for husbands to divide their nights equitably among wives when married to multiple women.

It also indicates the permissibility of sleeping during the early part of the night, as the Prophet himself did, before rising for night prayers.