Do You Sleep Enough? Types and Importance of Sleep
by Farida HajiSleeping is a blessing that Allah has bestowed on humankind. It is essential for our body. The deprivation of sleep leads to innumerable physical and mental ailments throughout our lifetime.
We tend to get distracted by anything and everything. Our devices, social activities, responsibilities, even our own thoughts and thus, tend to cut our sleeping hours. We often forget to treat our body with the respect it needs.
Allah says,
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبْتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ
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.
[Surah Ar-Rum 20:23]
Sleeping patterns of a Muslim are influenced by the prayer timings. Therefore it is highly encouraged to sleep and wake up early. However, the timings of prayers are different depending on the seasons and locations.
The Importance of Sleep
Mental and Emotional Well Being
- Sufficient sleep improves brain activity.
- Aids in learning and concentration.
- Enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Sleep deficiency has adverse effects, it has been linked to memory loss, depression, loss of control over emotions, and risk-taking behavior. Digital addiction is stale news, as adults, we are also prey to our gadgets and devices. However, sleep deficient children may encounter more serious developmental issues. Increased mood swings, impulsive behavior, lack of concentration, and unknown stress.
Physical Well Being
- Sleeping well aids the immune system to keep you healthy.
- Maintains a healthy balance of hormones in the body.
- Healthy sleep and sleeping habits aid in better development for growing children.
Insufficient sleep is linked to heart conditions and high blood pressure. The hormone imbalance caused by irregular and insufficient sleeping patterns affects growing children as well. It can lead to weaker immune systems and disrupted bodily functions, like unhealthy eating, and digestive problems.
Types of Sleep
Noum, the Arabic word for sleep, and its derivatives are mentioned 9 times in the Quran. Different stages of sleep hold significance in modern science as well.
1. Sinah
Sinah can be described as slumber or dozing off for a short while. The body is not particularly relaxed and can be awakened by the slightest disturbance.
2. Nu’ass
Nu’ass can be described as a state when the body and muscles start relaxing and the brain waves and patterns change. However, the brain is not entirely relaxed and is still in the early stages of the sleep cycle.
The Quran mentions sleep (Nu’ass), describing how it is security from Allah for His believers during a period of fear and stress.
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِۦ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ ٱلْأَقْدَامَ
[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.
[Surah Al-Anfal 8:11]
3. Ru’qood
Ru’qood can be best described as sleeping for a long period or extended period.
4. Ho’joo
Ho’joo is described for sleeping at night, yet, it is referenced to pious believers who sleep little at night and spend more of their time in prayer and remembering Allah.
5. Su’baat
Su’baat can be described as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep according to modern. This is the time when the body repairs and heals itself that is caused daily due to fatigue and exertions.
6. Qai’lullah
Qai’lullah or Midday nap is also highly practiced by many. Majorly a practice preferred by the Prophet ﷺ.
It was narrated that Anas said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدٌ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا نُجَمِّعُ ثُمَّ نَرْجِعُ فَنَقِيلُ .
We used to perform the Friday (prayer), then we would return for a nap (Qailulah).
[Sunan Ibn Majah, no 1102]
Do You Sleep Enough?
Do you think you give your body the rest that Allah has in many forms asked of you?
Practice these little habits to aid your resting time,
- Perform wudu before sleeping
- Make your bed
- Lie on the right side while you sleep
- Switch off the lights
- Take naps
Close your eyes and take a break from your screens!
The article has been very useful
Jazakallahulhair
Jazaakallaahu Khayran. Very useful attical.
Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah I have really learnt a lot
Jazakumullah Khair
Jazakallah khair.. I have been doing all wrong…
Very informative, just learned something new about sleep. Thank you.????
Jazak Allah khair
Jazakalla kher
Very informing, jazakumlahu khayran
JazakiAllah khair for sharing
I love this content ????
Jazakumullah khairan katsiran, it’s a ‘little’ yet highly important thing that often be ignored.
May Allah make it easy for us . Amin
This is lovely
Sharing this with my sister in laws as they netflix the night away
Shukran…
What Duas to read before going to sleep?
Dua for Sleeping
اَللّهُمَّ بِسْمِكَ أَمُوْتُ وَ أَحْيَ
Transliteration
Allahumma Bismika amootu wa-ahya
Translation
Oh Allah, I live and die calling your name.
Dua When Waking Up
الْحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ahyaanaa ba da maa amaatanaa wa ilayhin-nushoor.
Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.
Shukran, for sharing this dua with us. – Nour
This’s absolutely helpful ❤️ It
Jazakum Lkahu Khairan
Excellent article. I feel sleeping is a way of obeying Allah swt, hence of worshipping Him swt
Very useful and educative
I agree with the above comment. The article is very useful. Jazakumllahi khair
I do not get enough sleep for sure despite trying to do the right things such as eating early at night, not drinking coffee or tea past 2pm , drinking g herbal teas and more.
I live in London and I find it very difficult to adjust to the constant changing of time for prayers on top of the changing of the clock twice a year.
To sleep I need a routine and a pattern which is regular but that is impossible with the irregular pattern for prayers especially these days during Ramadan with long days and hardly any time between isha and fajr .
Of course I do t want to miss my prayers so I end up like a zombie during the day because of the lack of sleep.
I don’t t know how to deal with that, it is a real problem
I would love to go to bed early and wake up early as it is the Islamic and prophetic way but how do you do that in England?
Even in winter when isha is early and fajr late it is hard to go to bed early because of the noise level around, having a nap after lunch not possible either so what is the solution? Immigrate?
I wish I could. A sunny country , near the equator, with the azan in the background well one can always dream. In the meantime, I have to cope with this issue the best I can which is proving very very hard
Any suggestions anyone? I know I am not the only one in this situation.
It’s ok, take it easy and relax. Do your best to not miss prayer. Keep praying that Allah will give you enough sleep and peaceful day. ☺ May Allah bless you, sister
I agree with you, I have the same problems at the moment.. but whenever I go back home, and listen to the Ezan, I always record them. In every city, and town, I always record it when I have the chance. Because, times like this, where I am back to my own home, there is no beautiful Ezan being heard.. especially in Canada, so I watch those in my camera roll and it helps me to sleep. I feel better. Maybe try that’
Salam
Try honey a night, personally drinking honey makes me feel sleepy
Another thing I do that works as is that if I want to follow the normal sleeping schedule, I try to stay awake as much as I can during the day even when I a sleepy, and when the night comes, I try to sleep
You can also try to do physical exercise, shower, pray a lot and go to bed to relax and sleep
May Allah make it easy for all of us !
Dear Hina, Shukran for sharing your concerns and qualms with us. It must be challenging for your to be facing this all year round.You may want to explore different schedules and share it with your friend or a family member to help you follow it. It’s definitely an exploratory journey and you can always seek advice and guidance from the Muslim community in your area. Slowly, but surely you will come around. Trust in Allah. He knows best.
Love this
Alhumdulillah great article for me it’s hard cause I work night shift at up LL I will try my best but never skip prayers the sister above has mentioned vsame issues I live in. US and do m to best to sleep InshAllah I will try Allah Hafiz kauser
The article is indispensable of qualitative information and reinforce the reality of modern science.
Shakron may Allah continue to bless and guide us in all our worldly affairs Ameen ????
Maa Sha Allah.. Have learned something new.
Excellent,May Allah bless you for your information
Shukran for this beautiful information. most of the things we are aware but don’t follow. we need to get refreshed once in a while. Due to online working, time has become chaotic. and sleep has become erratic. Reading thru the article felt good. Insha Allah will follow the guidelines and take care. Shukran once again.
Good