وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا 9
Translations
And made your sleep [a means for] rest
Transliteration
Wa jaʿalnā nawmakum subātā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has made sleep a means of rest and tranquility for humans, allowing the body and mind to recuperate from the exertions of the day. The word 'subāt' (سباتا) literally means rest or cessation, indicating that sleep is a divine blessing that interrupts our constant activity, providing essential repose. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as evidence of Allah's mercy and wisdom in creating sleep as a physiological necessity that restores human strength and consciousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Naba, a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's signs and creation as evidence of His existence and power. The surah catalogs divine blessings (from verse 5 onwards) including sleep, which serves as proof of Allah's care for His creation and His perfect design of the human body.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' and he recommended night prayers after adequate sleep. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet encouraged believers to seek rest, saying that sleep is a gift from Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Sleep is not merely a biological necessity but a divine mercy and sign of Allah's care for humanity; recognizing this should inspire gratitude for this blessing and encourage us to use our waking hours productively in obedience to Allah.