Explanation of the words of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "
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The Shaykh : The author (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in the chapter on certainty and reliance upon Allah the hadith of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised him to say this dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) when he goes to sleep and lies down on his bed. This dhikr includes entrusting one's affair to his Lord, relying on Allah in his outward and inward being, and entrusting his affair to Him.
It also includes that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded him to lie on his right side, because that is the best. The doctors have mentioned that sleeping on the right side is better for the body and healthier than sleeping on the left side. Some of the people of spiritual practice and rectitude have also mentioned that it is closer to waking up, because when a person sleeps on his left side, he sleeps on his heart and does not wake up quickly. In contrast, when he sleeps on his right side, the heart remains suspended, and his sleep is less deep, so he wakes up quickly.
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that these words be made the last things one says, even though there are other dhikr, or multiple dhikr, said when sleeping besides these, such as tasbih (glorification), tahmid (praise), and takbir (saying Allahu akbar). It is recommended (mustahabb) for a person, when he goes to sleep and lies on his bed, to say: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) thirty-four times. This is part of the dhikr. However, the hadith of al-Bara' indicates that what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised him to say should be made the last things he says. Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib repeated this hadith to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to be certain of it, so he saidAs-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 64:1200 The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied to him and said [At-Takwir 81:19-20] As for a prophet (nabi), he is only from among humans. So if one says “Your Messenger whom You sent,” the wording is suitable for it to mean Jibril. But if he says “Your Prophet whom You sent”, it is specific to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This is from one angle.
From another angle, if he says “Your Messenger whom You sent,” the indication of this wording regarding prophethood is by way of necessary implication (dalalat al-lazim). But if he says “Your Prophet whom You sent,” it indicates prophethood by way of direct correspondence (dalalat al-mutabiqah). It is known that direct correspondence is stronger than necessary implication or commitment. The point of this hadith is his saying and his saying Sahih Muslim 2710c If Allah intends evil for a people, there is no repelling it. If Allah does something to a person, there is no repelling it except to Allah the Mighty and Majestic. This means that one should take refuge in his Lord, Glorified and Exalted is He. A person should, when he wants to sleep, lie on his right side, say this dhikr, and make it the last thing he says. And success is from Allah.
It also includes that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded him to lie on his right side, because that is the best. The doctors have mentioned that sleeping on the right side is better for the body and healthier than sleeping on the left side. Some of the people of spiritual practice and rectitude have also mentioned that it is closer to waking up, because when a person sleeps on his left side, he sleeps on his heart and does not wake up quickly. In contrast, when he sleeps on his right side, the heart remains suspended, and his sleep is less deep, so he wakes up quickly.
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that these words be made the last things one says, even though there are other dhikr, or multiple dhikr, said when sleeping besides these, such as tasbih (glorification), tahmid (praise), and takbir (saying Allahu akbar). It is recommended (mustahabb) for a person, when he goes to sleep and lies on his bed, to say: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) thirty-four times. This is part of the dhikr. However, the hadith of al-Bara' indicates that what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised him to say should be made the last things he says. Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib repeated this hadith to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to be certain of it, so he said
I believe in Your Book which You revealed and Your Messenger whom You sent.
آمنت بكتابك الذي أنزلت ورسولك الذي أرسلتSay, "And your Prophet whom You sent."
قل ونبيك الذي أرسلت(19) [That] indeed, the Qur'an is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger (20) [Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position],
إنه لقول رسول كريم ذي قوة عند ذي العرش مكينFrom another angle, if he says “Your Messenger whom You sent,” the indication of this wording regarding prophethood is by way of necessary implication (dalalat al-lazim). But if he says “Your Prophet whom You sent,” it indicates prophethood by way of direct correspondence (dalalat al-mutabiqah). It is known that direct correspondence is stronger than necessary implication or commitment. The point of this hadith is his saying