Whoever goes to sleep with meat grease or fat on his hand...

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

It is narrated from ‘Anas, may Allah accept his deeds, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when retiring to his bed, would enumerate and mention some of Allah's blessings, expressing gratitude for them, such as food and drink. He would say:

“الحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا، وَكَفَانَا وَءاوَانَا، فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لَا كَافِيَ لَهُ وَلَا مُؤْوِيَ”

All praise is due to Allah, who has provided us with [various types of] food and drink, sufficed us [by warding off the harm of all that is harmful], and sheltered us [by granting us a refuge to which we may retreat—a dwelling we inhabit that protects us from heat and cold, preserves our belongings, and provides privacy from others]. How many are there who have no one to suffice them and no one to shelter them?”

(Narrated by Muslim).

This means: All praise is due to Allah, who has provided us with [various types of] food and drink, sufficed us [by warding off the harm of all that is harmful], and sheltered us [by granting us a refuge to which we may retreat—a dwelling we inhabit, which protect us from heat and cold, we preserve in our belongings, and provide privacy from others]. How many [people] have no one to suffice them [leaving their worries multiplied, their needs unmet, and their enemies overpowering them], nor anyone to shelter them [leaving them without a place of refuge, forced to live in the streets or similar conditions, exposed to the extremes of heat and cold].”

This narration highlights that when a person is blessed with a favour, one of the most commendable actions they can perform is to remember those deprived of such blessings and express gratitude to Allah. Doing so is more likely to prevent them from belittling or taking for granted the blessings of Allah bestowed upon them.

Placing the hand under the cheek when sleeping

It is narrated from Al-Bara’ ibnu ^Azib, may Allah accept his deeds, that when the Prophet ﷺ went to sleep, he would place his right hand under his cheek and say:

“اللَّهمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ”

“O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”

(Narrated by ‘Ahmad).

It is also narrated from Hudhayfah, may Allah accept his deeds, that when the Prophet ﷺ would lie down at night, he would place his hand under his cheek and say:

“اللَّهمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أمُوتُ وَأحْيَا”

“O Allah, by Your Power I die and I live.”

(Narrated by Al-Bukhariyy).

Washing the hands

Among the practices established for us by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is washing the hands to remove the grease or fat from meat before sleeping. ‘Abu Hurayrah, may Allah accept his deeds, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“مَنْ نَامَ وَفِي يَدِهِ غَمَرٌ وَلَمْ يَغْسِلْهُ فَأَصَابَهُ شَىءٌ فَلاَ يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ”

"Whoever goes to sleep with meat grease or fat on his hand and does not wash it, and something harmful occurs to him, let him not blame anyone but himself."

(Narrated by ‘Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhiyy).