Was the Companions' pre-noon nap (qaylulah) an act of worship or a habit? Is it for recommendation and emulation or for permissibility? And how can their act be reconciled with the fact that they did so after the time for prayer had begun, given that sleeping after the time for prayer has begun is prohibited?

Napping (qailulah) is recommended, and whatever is recommended is considered an act of worship, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Take a nap, for the devils do not nap." Qailulah can be a midday rest even if it doesn't involve sleep, and it has benefits, among them that it rests the body and aids in performing night prayers (qiyam al-layl).

Scholars have differed on its timing, whether it is before or after zawal (midday). Sleeping after the prayer time has begun is permissible if the person knows they will not oversleep, or if they have someone to wake them for prayer. If one expects to oversleep, it is not permissible unless they assign someone to wake them.