Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The uncle of ‘Abbad bin Tamim is ‘Abdullah bin Zayd al-Ansari radi Allahu anhu, who has narrated his own observation. In another narration, it is mentioned that Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthman radi Allahu anhum also used to do this. (Fath al-Bari: 10/490) There is no harm in doing so for comfort and relaxation.

(2)
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned this topic in the Book of Clothing (Kitab al-Libas), stating that a person lying in such a position must take care to cover his private parts (‘awrah), because generally there is a risk of becoming uncovered inadvertently. For this reason, in one hadith, lying in this manner has also been prohibited. Thus, it is narrated from Jabir radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade lying on one’s back with one leg placed over the other. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Libas, Hadith: 5501 (2099)) Doing such an act in the presence of others in a gathering is also generally considered inappropriate; however, its permissibility is established, as Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has proven, especially when there is no risk of exposure. And Allah knows best.