Taking a midday nap is rewarding in Islam and the Sunnah of our beloved Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Research has shown the positive impacts of midday naps in improving cognitive ability, strengthening memory, mental alertness, and better work efficiency. It has been shown to reduce the rate of mortality due to cardiovascular stress, especially in working men [1]. No wonder Islam is a complete religion, it takes into consideration everything that might serve and benefit human welfare. Taking rest during the day is essentially crucial to sustaining the long days of work and hectic schedule. Better physical health, productivity, and competence are the prime benefits of taking a midday nap. The beautiful thing is that when we manage to have a power nap, we follow the Sunnah, which is gratifying itself.
How is nap different from sleeping?
Napping and sleeping are similar forms of body rest, but they differ in duration. Napping is sleeping for a short amount of time, which usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, whereas sleeping typically refers to a more extended period of rest, such as during the night.
A key difference between napping and sleeping is that sleeping has different stages. While sleeping, we go through multiple steps of the sleep cycle, including deep sleep and rapid eye movement (R.E.M.) sleep. These sleep stages are necessary for mental and physical health and the overall well-being of humans.
On the other hand, napping is a shorter period of light sleep, which provides a quick boost in energy and overall alertness without getting into the deep cycles of sleep. Another difference between napping and sleeping is the purpose achieved through both of them. Napping is considered a way to relieve temporary fatigue or increase productivity during the day. At the same time, sleeping serves as a complete process of restoration and recovery of mind and body.
Midday Nap
Islam mentions a specific time for napping during the daytime, known as “Qailulah.” It is a short nap taken between the midday prayer (Dhuhr prayer) and the afternoon prayer (Asr prayer). This nap time is considered very beneficial for a break and relaxation. Muslims are encouraged to use this time to restore their energy and continue their day with unlimited stamina and vitality. Narrated Anas bin Malik:
“We used to offer the Jumua prayer early and then have an afternoon nap.” [2]
Midday napping is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)
If we analyze the life of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), it is prominent that his day was always busy with different activities. As a leader of the Muslim Ummah, his day was filled with praying, teaching, doing personal work, and meeting people from different tribes and fields to convey the message of Islam. Moreover, he always attended and hosted diplomatic meetings, made trips with companions, visited his relatives and other people, doing community work. Despite having a busy schedule he (peace and blessings be upon him) always manage to take a midday nap to energize his body and left behind a golden Sunnah for us to take care of our health and body.
Benefits of Midday Napping
Physical Benefits
1. Refreshes Mind and Body
Napping refreshes the body and mind, increasing efficiency in work and other things. In Islam, it is always encouraged to be active and utilize most of our time. With napping, we get more involved, leading to us using our time better
2. Relieves Fatigue and Makes One Attentive
Napping is one of the best ways to relieve fatigue. When we are tired of working all day long, a nap is considered to be the quick fix for that fatigue. And when we are less tired, we tend to focus and concentrate more on our work. Staying active and working with full concentration is highly encouraged in Islam. With napping, you can stay fully focused and active-minded easily. Ibn Abbas narrated that:
He saw the Prophet sleeping while in the prostration position until he snored or snorted. Then he stood up to pray. So I said: “O Messenger of Allah! You were sleeping?” He said: “Wudu is not required except for sleeping while reclining. For when one reclines, joints relax.” [3]
3. Improves Physical Health
Napping means giving rest to your body. This means that when you are napping, you are giving your body the time to relax and let the physiological factors of your body operate efficiently. Napping is proven to reduce heart risks, boost the immune system, regulate circadian rhythm, and enhance the overall well-being of a person. In Islam, a body is said to be a sacred trust from Allah, and by napping, we Muslims honor this trust by preserving our health. Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:
Allah’s Messenger P.B.U.H said, “O `Abdullah! Have I not been formed that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them (the fast) at other times; stand up for the prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you.” [4]
Spiritual and Psychological Benefits
Reducing Stress
Napping means relaxing, which leads to stress reduction. And the less the stress, the more our mind is peaceful and healthy. Islam has emphasized a relaxed state of mind, which can be achieved with a regular routine of napping. In Islam, sleep has always been associated with relieving stress and tiredness. In the battle of Badr, Allah relieved the Muslims by making them slumber for some time.
“Remember when He caused drowsiness to overcome you, giving you serenity”. [5]
Balancing Naps with Obligations
While the benefits of napping are evident, Muslims need to strike a balance between rest and fulfilling their religious duties. The key lies in moderation and time management. For instance, it was narrated that Sahl bin Sa’d said:
“We did not take a Qailulah nor eat Ghada’ until after Friday (prayer).”[6]
It is essential to plan naps strategically, ensuring they do not interfere with obligatory prayers, daily recitations, or other religious practices.
Conclusion
Midday nap is a rewarding activity. Islam has attributed napping as a beneficial deed for spiritual and physical well-being. Emphasizing the importance of rest, Islam encourages believers to take short naps daily to revitalize and boost efficiency. By following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) about Qailulah or midday nap, Muslims can attain blessings and rewards even from sleeping. Therefore, taking a nap can be considered an act of worship that contributes to the overall well-being of individuals.
Taking a midday nap is Sunnah and a part of our content series. Follow our whole series, Time to Revive, where we discuss the forgotten Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him, and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice.
By: Jowairia Shahid
References
- Dutheil F, Danini B, Bagheri R, Fantini ML, Pereira B, Moustafa F, Trousselard M, Navel V. Effects of a Short Daytime Nap on the Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 28; 18(19):10212
- Sahih al-Bukhari 905: Book 11, Hadith 29
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 77: Book 1, Hadith 77
- Sahih Al-Bukhari 5199: Book 67, Hadith 133
- Al-Quran 8:11
- Sunan Ibn Majah 1099: Book 5, Hadith 297
