✦ Question:
Is the narration “Whoever sleeps after ʿAṣr and loses his mind should blame no one but himself” authentic?
This narration is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ. The wording attributed is:
“من نام بعد العصر فاختلس عقله فلا يلومن إلا نفسه”
“Whoever sleeps after ʿAṣr and loses his mind should blame no one but himself.”
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله discussed this narration in al-Ḍaʿīfah (39), analyzing various chains and confirming its weakness.
An interesting reply is reported from Imām al-Layth ibn Saʿd رحمه الله:
Someone said to him:
“O Imām! You sleep after ʿAṣr, though a ḥadīth has been reported on this.”
He replied:
“لا أدع ما ينفعني بحديث ابن لهيعة عن عقيل!”
“I will not abandon what benefits me based on a narration of Ibn Lahīʿah from ʿAqīl!”
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله commented:
“I loved this response from al-Layth, as it reflects deep understanding and knowledge — and that is no surprise, for he was among the Imāms of the Muslims and renowned jurists.”
A reliable statement is attributed to the companion Khawwāt ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه:
“نومُ أوَّلِ النَّهارِ خَرقٌ، وأوسطُهُ خلقٌ، وآخرُهُ حُمقٌ”
“Sleeping in the early part of the day is harmful, in the middle it is appropriate, and in the latter part it is foolish.”
[Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 26677, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Adab al-Mufrad: 1242]
① No authentic ḥadīth forbids sleeping after ʿAṣr.
② The statement of Ṣaḥābī Khawwāt ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه discourages sleeping in the late afternoon.
③ If one genuinely needs rest after ʿAṣr, it is permissible, but it is better to follow the sunnah of Qaylūlah (a nap at midday).
Wa-Allāhu Aʿlam
Is the narration “Whoever sleeps after ʿAṣr and loses his mind should blame no one but himself” authentic?
❖ Answer by: Shaykh Khidr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh & Shaykh Nuʿmān Khalīq ḥafiẓahullāh
This narration is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ. The wording attributed is:
“من نام بعد العصر فاختلس عقله فلا يلومن إلا نفسه”
“Whoever sleeps after ʿAṣr and loses his mind should blame no one but himself.”
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله discussed this narration in al-Ḍaʿīfah (39), analyzing various chains and confirming its weakness.
✿ The Response of Imam al-Layth ibn Saʿd رحمه الله
An interesting reply is reported from Imām al-Layth ibn Saʿd رحمه الله:
Someone said to him:
“O Imām! You sleep after ʿAṣr, though a ḥadīth has been reported on this.”
He replied:
“لا أدع ما ينفعني بحديث ابن لهيعة عن عقيل!”
“I will not abandon what benefits me based on a narration of Ibn Lahīʿah from ʿAqīl!”
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله commented:
“I loved this response from al-Layth, as it reflects deep understanding and knowledge — and that is no surprise, for he was among the Imāms of the Muslims and renowned jurists.”
✿ Statement of the Companion Khawwāt ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه
A reliable statement is attributed to the companion Khawwāt ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه:
“نومُ أوَّلِ النَّهارِ خَرقٌ، وأوسطُهُ خلقٌ، وآخرُهُ حُمقٌ”
“Sleeping in the early part of the day is harmful, in the middle it is appropriate, and in the latter part it is foolish.”
[Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 26677, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Adab al-Mufrad: 1242]❖ Conclusion:
① No authentic ḥadīth forbids sleeping after ʿAṣr.
② The statement of Ṣaḥābī Khawwāt ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه discourages sleeping in the late afternoon.
③ If one genuinely needs rest after ʿAṣr, it is permissible, but it is better to follow the sunnah of Qaylūlah (a nap at midday).
Wa-Allāhu Aʿlam
