Harm that can occur if you sleep after Fajr! Hafiz Masum Ahmed Dudhrachki

Daily Bijoy News, Special Correspondent:

Sleep is a great blessing from Allah. Sleep is extremely important for a person's physical and mental well-being. To maintain balance in life, it is necessary to sleep for a specific period. Both Islam and modern science explain the importance of sleep. Six to seven hours of sleep daily is essential for an adult. Islam speaks of harmonizing work, worship, and rest to keep human life disciplined. In the Holy Quran, Allah says, 'And We made your sleep [a means for] rest and made the night as a covering.' (Surah An-Naba, 78:9-10)

This verse highlights the importance of proper sleep in human daily life. However, Islam discourages sleeping in the morning, especially after the Fajr prayer, because this time is considered a time for work and blessings. Rasulullah (SAW) said, 'O Allah! Bless my Ummah in the early morning.' (Tirmidhi 1212) This hadith makes it clear that focusing on work or worship after the Fajr prayer increases blessings in life. On the other hand, excessive sleep or laziness wastes the opportunity for blessings. In modern life, many people stay up at night engaged in entertainment or unnecessary tasks, which hinders the performance of the Fajr prayer and thereby reduces blessings.

Regarding sleeping at night, Rasulullah (SAW) said, 'Sleep in the early part of the night and get up in the last part of the night for worship, because the acts of worship in the last part of the night are more virtuous.' (Sahih Bukhari 1120) Therefore, one should develop the habit of sleeping in the early part of the night. History bears witness that successful people sleep early at night and wake up at dawn to work with renewed energy. Concerning this, Abu Umama (RA) said, 'I heard Rasulullah (SAW) saying: "Whoever goes to bed in a state of purity intending to sleep and engages in the remembrance of Allah until sleep overcomes him, then when he turns sides, Allah will grant him the opportunity to pray for the good of this world and the Hereafter."' (Tirmidhi 3526)

Rasulullah (SAW) encouraged specific acts of worship after the Fajr prayer. He encouraged spending that time in supplication, sending blessings upon the Prophet, glorifying Allah, and remembering Him. Rasulullah (SAW) said, 'Whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, then remains seated in the place of prayer remembering Allah until sunrise, and then prays two rak'ahs (Ishraq), will receive a reward equal to that of performing a complete Hajj and Umrah.' (Tirmidhi 586)

It is a Sunnah to remember Allah and seek forgiveness before sleeping at night. Rasulullah (SAW) said, 'Whoever goes to sleep without remembering Allah, and does not wake up for Fajr, the devil ties a knot in his ear.' (Sahih Bukhari 1142) Excessive sleep and laziness increase anxiety, depression, and stress. Therefore, according to Islamic guidance, it is extremely important not to sleep after Fajr but to focus on work for the proper use of time and to attain blessings.

Author: Eminent Islamic thinker, writer, and columnist Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhrachki, former Imam and Khateeb of Kadamtali Mazar Jame Mosque, Sylhet.

Daily Bijoy News/ Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhrachki