Have you ever pondered over the miracles of sleep and wakefulness? Do you know that sleep is so important that an average man spends a third of his lifetime sleeping? Do you give thanks to the One who gives you the ability to sleep and the grace to wake up from your sleep?
Sound sleep is a mercy from Allaah (Qur’an 79:9). Not everyone gets it. All you do is lie on your bed with the intention of sleeping; the rest of the story is not within your power. If you doubt me, ask anyone who has suffered from insomnia and had to take strong pills in order to sleep. AlhamduliLlaah for the gift of sleep!
Sleep is the youngest brother of death. Your consciousness, nay, your life is taken away temporarily. However, your heart keeps pumping blood throughout your body. Your lungs keep taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Your urethra and anus remain tightened so that you don’t pee or poo on the bed. Your brain is refreshed and rejuvenated. Flashes of information pop up within your brain and you see them as dreams… Have you ever wondered how these processes keep going on while you sleep? SubhaanaLlaah!
Waking up is the greatest miracle of all. You don’t choose to wake up. Allaah chooses who wakes up and who doesn’t. He created the “circadian rhythm” which triggers you to rise up when your body has rested well enough. And No, it wasn’t just because of the ringing of the alarm clock or crowing of the rooster.
So tell me, how can a person sleep and wake and not appreciate that it is a privilege to sleep and wake?
“It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.” (Qur’an chapter 39 verse 42)
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