Allah has ordained the day and the night to be filled with appropriate activities (Al-An’am: 60)—sleeping at night and working during the day. Getting optimal sleep at night is essential and aligns with sunatullah (the natural laws established by Allah). "And it is He who made the night for you as a garment, and sleep for rest, and He made the day for rising and striving." (Al-Furqan: 47). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would sleep during the early part of the night and wake up during the last third of the night.
At
night, our bodies undergo a detoxification process (the removal of toxins),
which, in certain stages, requires us to be asleep. From 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM,
detoxification occurs within the lymphatic system (the immune system); the
following two hours focus on the liver, and the next two hours on the
gallbladder. This detoxification process is most effective when we are in a
deep sleep. Then, from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM, the lungs undergo
detoxification—which is why we may often find ourselves coughing during this
time. Finally, from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, the large intestine undergoes
detoxification; this is when we feel a natural urge to urinate, and it is also
the ideal time for a regular bowel movement.
The
harmonization of divine command, the Prophet’s example, and the body’s
biological mechanisms conveys a fundamental message: one’s hard work and
achievements during the day are deeply dependent on the discipline and quality
of one’s rest at night. By respecting the natural recovery cycle designed
by God for the nighttime, an individual not only fulfills their physical needs
but also cultivates the optimal physical stamina, mental clarity, and spiritual
readiness required for the day ahead. Thus, waking up early ceases to be merely
a daily routine; it becomes a moment of biological and spiritual transition—a
gateway to stepping out, striving with maximum effort, and overcoming the day’s
challenges with a full reservoir of energy.
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