Sleep: A Mystery Between Scientific Research and Qur’anic Wisdom
The Philosophy of Sleep and Our Consciousness
Have you ever wondered where we are when we sleep? In sleep, our consciousness seemingly vanishes, and we are unaware of our state. Despite being an integral part of our lives, sleep remains a profound mystery. While everything in this world exists for a reason, some phenomena become so ingrained in our daily lives that we rarely pause to reflect on their hidden truths. Among these is the remarkable phenomenon of sleep, which is intimately linked not only to human existence but to all living beings.
Scientific Explanation of Sleep
Science defines sleep as a natural phenomenon that temporarily suspends consciousness. During sleep, physical senses and muscles become disconnected from the surrounding environment. According to research, certain chemicals accumulate in the body during waking hours and physical activity, which create a pressure of drowsiness, eventually leading to sleep. Furthermore, energy is restored, and repair processes are carried out during sleep.
As per a report by the BBC:
“So why do we sleep? This is a question that has puzzled scientists for centuries, and the answer remains: no one really knows for certain. Some experts believe that sleep allows the body to recover from the day’s fatigue, but in reality, the energy conserved through sleep is minimal.”
(Source: BBC Report)
The Limits of Scientific Theories
Scientific explanations fall short of addressing why sleep became necessary during evolution. A human spends approximately one-third of their life sleeping, yet science still cannot fully comprehend how sleep was incorporated into the evolutionary process. The theory of natural selection is often offered as a resolution to this puzzle, but to claim that sleep became "accidentally" essential for survival appears to be an illogical assertion.
Sleep and the Divine System
In the cosmic order, sleep cannot be considered a mere coincidence. It is an essential component not only for humans but for all living beings. The question arises: how can such a complex system, like sleep, exist uniformly across all forms of life without any structure or control?
Qur’anic Explanation Regarding Sleep
Allah ﷻ describes sleep in the Qur’an as a blessing and a source of comfort for humans:
❝ وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا ❞
“And We made your sleep [a means for] rest.”
(Surah An-Naba: 9)
❝ وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا وَالنَّوْمَ سُبَاتًا وَجَعَلَ النَّهَارَ نُشُورًا ❞
“And it is He who made the night for you as clothing and sleep [a means for] rest and made the day a resurrection.”
(Surah Al-Furqan: 47)
According to the Qur’an, night is made for rest, and day for activity. Sleep is a natural compulsion from which no one can escape. It is a system divinely created to keep humans active and energized.
Circadian Clock: The Body's Biological Timekeeper
Within the human body resides a Circadian Clock or biological clock, which remains synchronized with the solar system’s day-night cycle. This clock regulates when the body should sleep, wake, and perform other vital functions. This 24-hour rhythm operates in alignment with the Earth's rotation, further indicating the interconnectedness of life with the cosmos.
The Mystery of Dreams
Alongside sleep, dreams represent another astonishing phenomenon. To this day, science is unable to explain why dreams were necessary in the process of evolution. This enigma points our consciousness toward the presence of a higher intelligence and purposeful design.
Final Conclusion
Sleep is a complex and intelligent creation, indicating the existence of a Supreme Planner. Contrary to the limited scientific theories, the divine system of sleep testifies to the greatness of its Creator. The systems of sleep, day, and night all prove that there is purpose and design behind this world.
