QILLAT-MANAAM
(Reducing sleep)
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Allah
Ta’aalaa says: "Stand up during the night, but a portion
(of the night); half the night or less than half the night."
[Qur'aan]
The
aforementioned Aayah commands standing up during the night
so that the Nafs becomes accustomed to striving. In this way
the ability of the Nafs (to submit to righteousness) attains
strength and perfection. Standing up during the night is most
efficacious for bringing the Nafs into submission. All forms
of Ibaadah, be it Du’a or Qir’at, Salaah or Zikr and be it
external (Zaahir) or internal (Baatin), are fulfilled in the
proper manner during the night. The meaning of proper external
(Zaahir) discharge of Ibaadah during the night is the proper
and correct recital of the words since the time available
is ample. The meaning of proper internal (Baatin) discharge
of Ibaadah is that during the night one derives greater pleasure
in Ibaadah. This is in fact what is meant by the tongue and
the heart conforming.
During
the month of Ramadhaan the Shariah has ordered the performance
of Taraaweeh Salaah during the night because it envisages
Taqleel-Manaam. Like Sawm (fasting) has its role in Taqleel-Ta’aam,
Taraaweeh has its role in Taqleel-Manaam. Like the change
of habit (i.e. in eating times) during fasting induces Mujaahidah,
so too, does the change of habit in Taraaweeh. The general
habit prevailing is to sleep after Ishaa. The command of Taraaweeh
brings about a change in the habit of sleeping, and this changing
of habit is difficult on the Nafs. This is precisely Mujaahidah.
In
Taqleel-Manaam the Shariah does not stop at mere awakefulness,
but instructs the observance of Ibaadah during the time of
awakefulness. Allah Ta'ala praises pious servants in the Qur'aan:
"In the fatter part of the night they make Istighfaar."
Elsewhere
in the Qur'aan it is said: "They separate their sides
from the beds calling their Rabb in fear and hope..."
In
other words, they perform Salaah during the night. However
the trend of the Aayah comprehends all forms of Ibaadah, hence
it applies to Du’a and Zikr as well. Furthermore, beside the
Deeni benefits in sleeping less, the physical health also
benefits. Less sleep creates Noor (celestial light) on the
face. The following is the statement of a Muhaddith in this
regard:
"The
face of one who performs Salaah in abundance during the night
becomes beautiful during the day."
Excessive
sleep is detrimental to the physical health as well. It reduces
or stunts the capacity of contemplation in a person. This
in turn brings . about harm in both Deeni and worldly activities.
A person who is given to excessive sleeping is never able
to be punctual in time.
Moderation
in Qillat-Manaam
Moderation in this Mujaahidah is also desirable.
Nowadays this moderation means sleeping at least six or seven
hours, If sleep becomes over-bearing then one should not ward
it off. In this case postpone your Wazeefah (act of lbaadah)
and sleep. The Wazeefah should be completed later. If the
sleep is not over-powering then one should adopt courage and
remain awake. If sleep is warded off when it is really over-powering
then the consequence will be harmful to the mind as well as
to the body in general. Confused thoughts will arise in the
mind and at times one is deceived into believing such confused
thoughts to be inspiration (Ilhaam). Such a person then considers
himself to be a saint. The final result is insanity. Hence,
the explanation of the Hadeeth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam:
"When
any of you rises in the night and finds that he is unable
to recite the Qur’aan properly (due to feeling sleepy), and
he does not know what he is reciting, then he should lay down."
The
advice in such cases of sleepiness is to lay down and not
to ward off the sleep. Some people who are extreme in their
observance of Taqleel-Manaam and other aspects of Mujaahidah
and do not heed the possibility of harm, should take advice
from this Hadith. This Hadith is an admonishment for them.
The advice given in this Hadith is two-fold.
1. At times extremism in Mujaahidah proves detrimental to
the physique.
2. When the words are not recited correctly because of over-powering
sleep then the necessary Thawaab will not be obtained. Thus
remaining awake will serve no beneficial purpose in this case. |