THE POWER OF SLEEP

‘People are asleep; when they die, they wake up.’ —The noble Messenger Muhammad (S)

Almighty Allah discusses the mystery of sleep, life, and death in several verses of the Noble Qur’an. Sleep is a mysterious universal phenomenon that has different effects on people.

In Surah ar-Rum, Almighty Allah says, 'Among His signs is sleep that you take by night and by day in quest of His bounty. In this there are clear signs for those who take heed ([30]: 23).

Almighty Allah made sleep for rest; He willed that sleep would overpower human beings and make them lose consciousness. Sleep is essential for life; there is no living creature that can stay without sleep. Sleep ensures rest and refreshes the tired organs of the body and allows millions of cells in the body to renew, recover and heal. Sleep revives and strengthens the mind, body and soul. Humankind wakes up renewed, fresh and ready to face the challenges of the day. Sleep is a blessing to humankind from the All-Powerful, Almighty Allah.

When we sleep, we dream, but only when we awaken, do we realize that we have been dreaming. Similarly, when we die we will realize that this world was an illusion, in fact a different dream, a material experience for a spiritual being.

It would not be out of place here to record what the great world-renowned writer, Muslim scholar Imam Muhammad ibn Seerin says in his book on dreams: ‘Fear Almighty Allah when you are awake and do not worry about what you see in a dream.’ 

Almighty Allah says in the Noble Qur’an in Surah azZumar: That it is Allah who takes the soul at death; and those that die not [yet], He takes during their sleep: those on whom He passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are signs for those who reflect’ ([39]:42).

Believers must reflect, think and ponder on the hidden secret of life, death, sleep and dreams that are a mystery beyond comprehension of humankind, only known to Almighty Allah.

In Surah ar-Rum, Almighty Allah says: ‘Do they not reflect in their own minds? Not but for just ends and for a term appointed, did Allah create the heavens and the earth, and all between them; yet are there, truly among men who

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deny the truth, the meeting with Allah (at the Resurrection)’ ([30]: 8).

Almighty Allah created this miracle called Earth based on truth with laws that are consistent. The entire universe operates on a powerful system put into place by Almighty Allah. This creation of Almighty Allah is limited and subject to change. Everything takes place at its appointed time, without a moment’s delay.

Think and reflect: this life is temporary; every night our soul is in a plane related to death. We are under the control of Almighty Allah. If Almighty Allah wills, our soul returns to our body and we resume our daily life, not realizing the wonder of the power of sleep.

Sleep is the sister of death says Jalal’uddin Rumi (ra). Sleep is partial death and death is deep sleep. Every night when we sleep we experience death, our soul is in the care of Almighty Allah. It is in a plane of spiritual existence related to death; we are under the total control of Almighty Allah, He can keep the soul or return it to the body if He pleases.

Allama Yusuf Ali explains: ‘Death and his twin brother sleep are in the hands of Almighty Allah. To Him is our Goal, He will judge in the end. His will is all-in-all.’

Almighty Allah assembles the souls of those who die; and the souls of those who are asleep are also in His care. If our time is over, we die peacefully in our sleep; our soul does not return to the physical body. The soul, kept by Almighty Allah, is His record of all we have done in our waking moments.

We remember only confused dream-like glimpses. In the morning we wake up and continue our daily activities until we complete the term set out for us by Almighty Allah.

Almighty Allah says in Surah al-Furqan: ‘And He [Allah] it is who makes the night as a robe for you, and sleep as repose, and makes the day (as it were) a resurrection’ ([25]:47). Almighty Allah has blessed humankind with the night as a covering to give the body spiritual rest, stillness and tranquillity.

Imagine a good dream, a dream of having a righteous family with faith in Almighty Allah, a pious wife, children, the best car, home, successful business and all that make our life pleasant. We believe in Almighty Allah, perform our salat, do dhikr, fast in the month of Ramadan, are charitable, do all the good things, and enjoy our life. Then suddenly we wake up from the dream; we become emotionally attached to our family and our possessions in the dream. Now we desperately want what we had in the dream. Then we realize that it was just a dream; we cannot have it, for it was merely a thought.

Jalal’uddin Rumi (ra) said: ‘Worldly thoughts are like dreams in the sleep.’

Almighty Allah reminds us that this world is an illusion. In Surah at-Takwir, Almighty Allah says: ‘When the mountains vanish like a mirage’ ([81]:3).

Life is the same; when we die, we realize that this temporary world which we thought was real was just an

illusion. Right now, we are dreaming; in this world of illusion, let us have great dreams and build our souls. We are the only creation that has to return to Almighty Allah fulfilled. Everything in this material dimension is an illusion and will perish.

Almighty Allah reminds us of the true reality in Surah alHajj: ‘Allah is the reality: it is He who gives life to the dead, and it is He who has power over all things’ ([22]:6). The life of this world is a dream, the difference between this life and a dream is that we live for ninety or a hundred years in this temporary phase, and we return to the spiritual dimension for eternity.

Sleep is temporary death; our senses are sealed in sleep; and the day is like the renewal of life. It is not possible for us to conceive how the state of sleep takes over. When we are awake we cannot comprehend our condition while we are asleep.

When we are asleep we are unable to witness, fathom or interpret our condition or how sleep affects us. Sleep is one of the secrets of Almighty Allah (SWT). He is the only one who knows the secret of sleep. He has made sleep essential for life.

We come from Almighty Allah, a powerful force that has brought us here for a reason. The most powerful force is Almighty Allah (SWT). This force placed in us by Almighty Allah is for us to stay connected to Him. To live in this world and succeed, we must live in harmony with Almighty Allah and surrender our nafs (ego) to this inner power that can manifest itself within us.

In life we go through stages: the first stage is conception; the second is birth; and the third is when we die in this material world and return to our origin, the spiritual dimension.

When we are asleep, we are in the hands of Almighty Allah, drawing from Him vital energy that sustains us. When we awaken, our soul returns to its body, nourished with mercy and love from Almighty Allah.

After a good and tranquil sleep, we can study well; our mental and physical endeavours are easily achievable. It has been proven that humankind lose their health if they lack sleep. On the other hand if they oversleep, that too can cause various sicknesses. A balanced sleep is essential. The hours of sleep vary and depend on the individual’s needs. Sleep is a miracle that contains many mysteries and is a divine blessing. Sleep is a form of hibernation, which recreates our vitality by allowing our physical being to realign and balance the body after a hard day’s work.

One third of a human being’s lifetime is occupied by sleep, and we have always questioned the mystery of sleep and the wonders of dreams. At a certain time the body becomes fatigued, the mind fails to work, the eyelids droop, and all the limbs come to a peaceful state. Sleep is a blessing bestowed by Almighty Allah on humankind; it heals the body and restores one’s health. Sleep helps us to forget our aches and pains. If we don’t sleep enough, we become pale, nervous and dull.

When we sleep well and wake up for Fajr, which is the natural waking time, we will experience pleasure and vitality. Fajr Salat in the early hours of the morning develops in us the power of conscious silence; in sleep we experience the power of silence. Sleep is unconscious silence; Fajr Salat develops the ability to be consciously silent.

The Zuhr, Asr, one rak’at in Maghrib, and two rak’ats in Isha Salat are meant for us to develop conscious silence. Silence is our essential nature; it is inner alertness through which we can connect to Almighty Allah. His intelligence and power operate silently. Silence is where creativity and solutions to the challenges of life are discovered. Contemplation and meditation are done in silence. ‘An hour’s contemplation (ie silence) is better than a year’s adoration (prayer)’ said the noble Messenger Muhammad (S).

Fajr Salat is the key to discovering and developing the power of silence. When we say, ‘let me sleep on it’, we are allowing silence, the power of Almighty Allah within to help us be creative. Silence is the creative power with which Almighty Allah blessed mankind. There is power in silence; there is power in Fajr Salat, the beginning of success in this world and the Hereafter.

Each night before going to sleep we must make wudu; ask Almighty Allah for forgiveness for our conscious or unconscious sins. Our soul is in the care of Almighty Allah Who will give it His loving mercy.

 Only Almighty Allah knows when He will accept our prayer but we must continuously ask for forgiveness. Recite the following du‘a before retiring to bed for sleep:

Bismika Rabbee wada’tu jambee wabika arfa‘uh, fa’in amsakta nafsee farhamhaa, wa’in arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa bimaa tahfadhu bihee ‘ibaadakas-saaliheen.

In your name O Allah, I lay my side and in your name I raise it. If you keep my soul, give it (your loving) mercy, and if you release it, care for it as You care for Your righteous servants.

Allaahumma aslamtu nafsee ilayk, wawajjahtu wajhee ilayk, wafawwadtu amree ilayk, wa’alja’tu dhahree ilayk,

raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk,

laa malja’a walaa manjaa minka illaa ilayk, aamantu bikitaabikal-ladhee anzalt, wabinabiyyikal-ladhee arsalt.

O Allah, I have surrendered myself to You, and I have oriented my face (heart) to You, and I have submitted (all matter of my life for decision) to You, and I have turned my back for refuge, in desire and in fear, towards You. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You.

I have believed in Your book which You have revealed, and in the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) whom You have sent.

When we awaken, we must thank Almighty Allah for returning our soul, giving us wellness in our body and allowing us to be in dhikr (remembrance) of Him. To be in dhikr of Almighty Allah, we need His permission and help to thank Him in the best of manners. If we are not performing dhikr daily, we must call on Almighty Allah to help us fulfil this duty of protection.

Allaahumma a‘innee ‘ala dhikrika washukrika wa husni ‘ib-aadatik.

‘O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You and to worship You in the best of manners.’ When waking up pray:

Alhamdu lil-laa-hil ladhee ahyaanaa ba‘da maa amaatanaa wa’ilayhin-nushoor.

‘All praise is due to Allah Who has given life after causing us to die, and to Him is (our) resurrection.’

Alhamdu lil-lah-il ladhee radda ‘alayya roohee, wa ‘aafaanee fee jasadee, wa’adhina lee bidhikrih.

‘All praise is due to Allah Who has returned upon me my soul, has given me wellness in my body and has permitted me to be in dhikr of Him.’

As much as we need food to nourish our body, we also require Almighty Allah’s mercy and care to nourish our soul. While our soul is in Almighty Allah’s care our bodily roles are still working. To enjoy eternal life beyond, we must spend energy discovering the power of Almighty Allah within us.

Praying and performing our duties consistently will develop the soul. Whether our physical body is young or old, weak or strong, the soul is timeless. Almighty Allah promises the righteous soul to enter Paradise where love, peace, happiness, contentment and harmony are dominant.

The righteous soul is free from sorrow, pain, doubt, fear or worry. It achieves the highest position called mutmainna. This is the state of complete satisfaction and rest. Almighty Allah welcomes this soul to Heaven.

He says to the righteous soul in Surah al-Fajr: O thou contented soul [in a state of complete rest and satisfaction!], Return thou to thy Lord—well pleased (with thyself) and well pleasing unto Him! Enter then among my Devotees!

Yea enter thou My Paradise!’ ([89]:27).