Itihaf ul-Basim Fi Tahqiq Muwatta al-Imam Malik [Talkhis al-Qabisi] Riwayah Abdur Rahman ibn al-Qasim
Tahqiq, Takhrij, Sharh
Muhadith Zubair Ali Zai
Translated Abu Ubaydah
Translated, Checked & Additional Notes
Abu Hibban & Abu Khuzaimah Ansaari
It is Allowed to Put One Leg Over Another Leg Whilst Lying Down
Abad Ibn Tamim: One Hadith
[71] From Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abad Ibn Tamim from his uncle that he saw Allah’s Messenger (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) lying on his back in the Masjid and putting one of his legs over the other.
[GRADING] – [SAHIH]
Ibn Shihab az-Zuhri clarified hearing (this hadith from Abad Ibn Tamim) in Bukhari (no.6287)
[REFERENCES] – [AGREED UPON]
Al-Muwatta (Yahya’s narration 1/172 hadith no.417, book 9, chapter 24, hadith no.87), at-Tamhid (9/203), al-Istidhkar: (no.387)
Transmitted by Bukhari (no.475) and Muslim (no.210) from the hadith of Malik
[UNDERSTANDING FROM THE HADITH]
1) It is allowed to lie down or sleep in the Masjid.
2) Umar Ibn Khatab and Uthman Ibn Afan (Radi Allahu Anhuma) both used to put one leg over the other leg and lie down in the Masjid. (Sahih Bukhari no.475 and al-Muwatta 1/173 hadith no.418)
3) In an authentic hadith Jabir Ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) forbade putting one leg over the other leg whilst lying down. (See Sahih Muslim 72/2099 [5501])
This prohibition is only on the condition that the one who is lying down is wearing an izar made from a sheet and it is feared that his private parts could be exposed. If the person is wearing trousers (or any form of clothing) or there is no fear his private parts will be exposed then this prohibition in not applicable.