‘Sleep’ in the Quran

Published 6 August 2021
Last Update 6 August 2021

Authors:

Dr Mohammad Arif Shahar
Dr Mohd Faiz Tahir

Objective:

To contemplate on the subject of sleep in the Quran

Brief explanation:

An invitation from God

If we were to consider the time we use to sleep, we would have come to a conclusion that we spend on average a third of our lifetime sleeping. It is a no wonder that God Himself mentioned the subject of sleep in His Final Revelation to Human; for the purpose of contemplation and deriving wisdom from the subject.

This matter (contemplating on the subject of sleep) in the Quran is not concocted by the initiated, but an invitation from God Himself. He said,

“And of His signs is your sleep by night and day and your seeking of His bounty. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.” (30:23)

For the unaware, sleep is a means for getting rest and refreshed (78:9) and (25:47). However, perhaps God is implying something more to sleep when he mentioned that He has made the day a resurrection (nusyuraa) after a night sleep in the same ayat (25:47)

Sleep: tranquillity and state of unawareness

The biological effect of sleep. Sleep (an-nu’aas – النُعاسُ) meaning doze – which is different from sleep (an-naum – النَومُ) – mentioned in 8:11 gives the effect of tranquillity. Sleep also as we know is a state of unawareness. So much so that it is described in the Quran that punishment of a defiant nation were sent down while they are unaware (sleeping) giving the impression of the suddenness of the coming of retribution (7:97, 68:19, 7:14). Perhaps God is teaching us to always be mindful and seriously take heed of the way we live our lives as retribution will come out of nowhere without much warning.

Sleep and Death

In the Islamic teaching, the similitude of sleep and death are profound. God mention in the Quran,

“And it is He who takes your souls by night¹ and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein [i.e., by day] that a specified term² may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.” (6:60)

And,

“Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (39:42)

Hence, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) taught us to supplicate using the following du’a before going to bed and after waking up from sleep.

وعن حذيفة رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أخذ مضجعه من الليل وضع يده تحت خده، ثم يقول‏:‏ ‏”‏اللهم باسمك أموت وأحيا‏”‏ وإذا استيقظ قال‏:‏ ‏”‏الحمد لله الذي أحيانا بعد ما أماتنا وإليه النشور‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏.‏

Riyad as-Salihin 816

Sleep and the Day of Resurrection

Furthermore, the experience that humankind being resurrected from death on the Day of Resurrection is similar to waking up from sleep. Man will say upon their resurrection,

“They will say, “O woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?” [The reply will be], “This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers told the truth.”” (36:52)

God control over sleep

God has control over sleep like He has control over life and death. He stretches sleep for some for hundreds of years (18:11). But He Himself is not overtaken by sleep or unawareness (2:255).

Conclusion

Indeed, sleep and awake reminds us of life, death and day of resurrection. While others are asleep, there are those who have clear understanding and were given the insight, stood before God in supplication and prayers (51:17, 32:16). Contemplating on sleep, brought them closer to God.

Curious question for sleep scientist and physicians

Which stages of sleep cycle (Rapid Eye Movement – REM or Non-Rapid Eye Movement –NREM) corresponds with an-nu’aas – النُعاسُ (to doze off) and an-naum – النَومُ (to sleep)?

Resources from the Quran:

8:11	[Remember] when He overwhelmed you with drowsiness [giving] security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil [suggestions] of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet.
7:97	Then, did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them at night while they were asleep?
68:19	So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
7:14	And how many cities have We destroyed, and Our punishment came to them at night or while they were sleeping at noon.
6:60	And it is He who takes your souls by night¹ and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein [i.e., by day] that a specified term² may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.
39:42	Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
18:12	Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time.
36:52	They will say, “O woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?” [The reply will be], “This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers told the truth.”
79:14	And suddenly they will be [alert] upon the earth’s surface.
18:11	So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.
2:255	Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living,¹ the Self-Sustaining.² Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them,³ and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursī⁴ extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High,⁵ the Most Great.⁶
51:17	They used to sleep but little of the night,¹
32:16	Their sides part [i.e., they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.1

Resources from the Sunnah: