SLEEP: A REMINDER OF DEATH
Learning from Daily Phenomena
THE Prophet of Islam likened death to sleep and life to the state of wakefulness after sleep. When he woke up every morning, he would say: “All praise and thanks are due to God who gave us life after death.”
For humankind, waking and sleeping are likewise symbolic of life and death. Going to sleep is like dying and waking up in the morning is like rising from the grave. Our inevitable awakening after sleeping foreshadows with certainty how we shall arise after death to give an account of our deeds on the Day of Judgement.
Man has to pass his life in this world in such a way that every happening becomes a reminder of the Day of Judgement. His sleeping and rising should also serve as reminders of life after death.
The gravest aspect of man’s life is that his existence does not come to an end after death. He shall be taken to another world. The present world is a world of action, while the world to come will be one in which he reaps his reward. That will be the beginning of a new and eternal life—either eternal Heaven or eternal Hell.
Man has to pass his life in this world in such a way that every happening becomes a reminder of the Day of Judgement. His sleeping and rising should also serve as reminders of life after death.
Man is reminded daily of this most important reality when he goes to sleep and when he rises from sleep. In this way, actions of this world come to remind man of the Hereafter.
If we are conscious of the above fact on a daily basis, it will certainly show in our behaviour in the day-to-day life. It is not possible that we be aware of this fact while also leading our life without any consideration for striving towards achieving the higher goals we are meant to achieve in this world. We are here for a purpose and for this, one needs to adopt the concept of high thinking and simple living.
The Prophet of Islam used to lead a very simple life and he laid great stress on simplicity even for believers. Once he said, “O people, don’t you hear me, O people, don’t you hear me, O people, don’t you hear me. Simplicity is undoubtedly a part of faith. Simplicity is undoubtedly a part of faith.”
When man has discovered the greatness of God, his own existence in comparison appears quite insignificant. This feeling makes him a truly modest person. He starts living a God-oriented life. His manner ceases to be aggressive and his voice becomes gentle. Even his gait expresses his modesty. His whole attitude comes to reflect a new seriousness.
All this inevitably results in his preferring simplicity in everything: in food, drink and living arrangements. He avoids luxury, pomp and show. His soul finds pleasure and contentment in leading a life of simplicity instead of indulgence.
True faith leads man away from artificial things. He becomes more inclined to lead his life according to the laws of nature, where simplicity is the rule. He develops a liking for a simple way of life. This attitude behoves the believer. Naturalness is in accordance with his modesty and humility, which are great virtues in the eyes of God.
The daily actions of sleeping and waking which might just appear as two ordinary actions amongst many in our life can actually be the greatest reminders to keep us away from frivolities and be serious about achieving the high goals befitting a human being.