Parenting Perspective 

Late-night notifications from work, social media, or family chats can quietly invade the sanctuary of the bedroom. Over time, they not only disturb your sleep but also steal the precious moments a couple has to connect. Protecting this space requires a clear and consistent boundary that prevents digital devices from ruling the night. 

Step 1: Set a Digital Curfew 

As a couple, agree on a household cut-off time, such as after the Isha prayer, when all phones are silenced or put away for the night. This creates a predictable rhythm that trains both your body and mind to prepare for rest and to be present with your family. 

Step 2: Use ‘Do Not Disturb’ Tools Wisely 

Most phones allow you to block notifications during certain hours while still letting urgent calls come through. You can configure your settings so that only genuine emergencies, such as a call from a close family member, can bypass the silence. 

Step 3: Create a Charging Station Outside the Bedroom 

Establish a neutral spot, like a shelf in the living room or a counter in the hallway, where all phones are charged overnight. Physically removing them from the bedroom prevents the temptation to scroll and signals to your children that bedrooms are places for rest, not for digital distractions. 

Step 4: Replace the Habit with a Calming Ritual 

Actively swap late-night screen time with calming and connecting alternatives. This could be a short conversation with your spouse about your day, reciting some Quran together, or quietly making a list of things you are grateful for before you sleep. When children observe this, they learn that winding down is a peaceful and intentional act. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages believers to honour the night as a time for rest, reflection, and connection with Allah. Allowing worldly distractions to dominate this period of quiet can weaken both our relationships and our faith. 

A Quranic Reminder on the Purpose of the Night 

The Quran reminds us that the darkness of the night is a mercy from Allah, designed to cover, calm, and restore us. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 47: 

‘And it is He (Allah Almighty) Who has designated for you the night as a cover (for respite), and sleep for your rejuvenation; and designated the day for re-energising (the Earth with automated light energy).‘ 

This reminds us that the night is meant for rest, not to be disrupted by endless digital alerts. 

The Prophetic Teaching on Preparing for Rest 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the importance of preparing one’s sleeping place with care and intention. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2714, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When any one of you goes to bed, let him brush off his bed with the edge of his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it after he left it.’ 

We can extend this principle today by clearing away the digital intrusions that can harm our peace and rest. 

By enforcing a clear boundary against late-night notifications, you protect your marriage, your rest, and your worship. Your children see that peace in the home comes from making intentional choices, and that faith and family outweigh the pull of devices.