Sleep is one of the most debated topics among people: Should the entire night be for sleep? Is sleeping long hours at night a divine law or a social habit that turned into a religious rule? In the Tayyibat System, Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, presents a different and controversial reading of sleep, based on his understanding of Quranic verses and Prophetic hadiths. Dr. Diaa explains that the Quran did not explicitly command night-time sleep, and that the word “subatan” in His saying “And We made your sleep subatan” (An-Naba: 9) means sleep in general, not specifically night-time sleep. This vision breaks the idea that only night-time sleep is “healthy,” “natural,” or “commanded by religion.” If you are new here, you may benefit from learning about What is the Tayyibat System? or reviewing the article on Allowed and Forbidden Foods in the Tayyibat System, as well as reading the Biography of Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, and finally you can Download the Tayyibat System PDF.
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Dr. Diaa’s Reading of the Verses: “Subatan” Means Sleep, Not Night-Time Sleep
What sparks the most controversy in Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi’s, may Allah have mercy on him, approach is his reading of the sleep verses in the Quran. Allah says: “And We made your sleep subatan” (An-Naba: 9). Dr. Diaa explains that the word “subatan” in Arabic means cutting off and interruption, and sleep is subatan because it cuts off activity and stops movement. But there is no specification in the verse that this subatan must be at night. The verse speaks of the blessing of sleep in general, wherever and whenever it occurs. Dr. Diaa cites other verses that mention sleep in different contexts, such as “And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day” (Ar-Rum: 23) – here sleep is mentioned both at night and during the day, meaning sleep is not limited to night only. The night is described as “garment,” “rest,” and “calm,” but sleep itself is not required to be exclusively at night.
Sleep in the Prophetic Tradition: Rest, Not Time-Based Worship
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, discusses the Prophetic hadiths that mention sleep and explains that the Prophet, peace be upon him, slept and woke according to his natural needs and worship schedule, not according to a fixed rule that sleep is a nightly obligation. Night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) was worship, and sleeping after Isha was a healthy habit in the Arabian environment due to their need for early rest because of the nature of their work. However, Dr. Diaa points out that understanding the Prophetic tradition must distinguish between “guidance” and “obligation.” The Prophet’s guidance in sleep was suitable for his environment and circumstances, and is not necessarily the fixed standard for all people in all ages. The sleep the body needs is what restores its energy and repairs its cells, whether at night or during the day, interrupted or continuous.
What Do the Verses About Night and Day Teach Us About Sleep?
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, cites multiple verses mentioning night and day to clarify the divine intent. “It is He who made the night for you to rest therein and the day giving sight” (Yunus: 67). The night is for rest and calm, and the day for seeking livelihood and movement. But rest and calm do not necessarily mean sleep. Rest may be relaxation and peace of mind, and it may be sleep. Dr. Diaa believes the verses describe the system of the universe (night and day) as the context for human life, but they do not impose that a person must sleep all night or remain awake all day. The practical application: sleep when your body needs it, and wake when it needs to, keeping in mind that sleeping at night may be easier due to fewer stimuli and darkness, but it is not forbidden or wrong to sleep during the day if necessary.
Sleep in Human Nature: Animals and Their Sleep Patterns
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, gives an example from nature: animals do not sleep according to one fixed schedule. Lions sleep most of the day and are active at night. Bats sleep during the day and come out at night. Gazelles sleep in short, interrupted periods both night and day. Cats sleep most of the day whenever they wish. If long night-time sleep were the natural, inherent pattern for all creatures, all animals would sleep in the same way. But they differ according to each creature’s nature, environment, and needs. Humans also have a natural predisposition for sleep, but it is not limited to a specific time. The body knows when it needs sleep through internal signals: lethargy, heavy eyelids, decreased concentration. These signals are more important than any wall clock or social schedule.
Criticizing the “8 Hours of Continuous Night-Time Sleep” Myth
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, criticizes the common idea that forces everyone to sleep 8 continuous hours at night. He explains that this recommendation arose from industrial studies related to the work revolution and the job system, not from fixed physiological fact. Many people sleep 5-6 hours and feel energetic, while others need 9 hours. Interrupted sleep (taking daytime naps) was common in ancient civilizations before modern life imposed a strict work and sleep schedule. In the Tayyibat System, the rule is: sleep when you sleep, wake when you wake, and do not fight your body’s nature to force it into a social time pattern that does not suit it. If you feel sleepy in the afternoon, take a short nap. If you wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back asleep immediately, do not worry – this is normal.
Sleep Anxiety: When Night Becomes a Nightmare
One of the most common problems people suffer from is “sleep anxiety.” A person goes to bed at 11 PM and tells themselves: “I have to sleep now, I only have 8 hours.” They worry if they haven’t slept after an hour, then develop insomnia, then think that the next day will be bad due to lack of sleep, increasing anxiety and worsening insomnia. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that this anxiety is worse than lack of sleep itself. The body knows how to regulate its sleep if left alone. But when you decide when to sleep (by the clock) and how much to sleep (by the number), you fight your nature. The solution: go to bed when you feel genuine drowsiness, not when the clock indicates a certain time. If you cannot sleep after 20-30 minutes, get up and do something quiet until drowsiness returns. Do not make your bedroom a battleground with sleep.
Hormones and Their Relationship to Sleep: Cortisol and Melatonin
From a purely scientific perspective, Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, links sleep to hormones. Cortisol (the stress and alertness hormone) naturally rises in the morning and decreases at night. Melatonin (the sleep hormone) is secreted in darkness and rises at night. This is why night-time sleep is easier and of higher quality for most people, but not the only reason. However, if a person’s circumstances require daytime sleep (such as night work, caring for a sick person, or travel), they can create a suitable daytime sleep environment: a dark room, quiet, appropriate temperature. The body adapts. Hormones are not absolute rulers; lifestyle can change them. What matters is sleep quality, not just its timing.
Between Worship and Health: Night Prayer and Its Effect
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, does not deny the virtue of night prayer; rather, he considers it among the greatest acts of worship. But he draws attention to the fact that night prayer does not mean sleeping all day. Night prayer is an additional act of worship, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, would pray at night, sleep part of it, and perhaps sleep after Fajr or take a midday nap. Balance is what is required: do not abandon worship under the pretext of sleep, and do not abandon your health under the pretext of worship. Some people think that night prayer means staying awake until Fajr and then sleeping all day, and this is not from the Prophet’s guidance. True night prayer is waking from sleep to worship Allah, then returning to sleep if the body needs it. Dr. Diaa believes that understanding this point frees people from guilt if they sleep during the day or if they do not sleep 8 hours at night.
Conclusion
Sleep in the Tayyibat System is not a fixed reality limited to night-time only; it is a vital function the body needs whenever it feels the need. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, reads the Quranic verses (such as “And We made your sleep subatan”) as speaking of the blessing of sleep in general, not the obligation of night-time sleep. The Prophetic hadiths show the Prophet’s guidance in sleep and rest, but they do not impose a specific time. The myth of 8 hours of continuous night-time sleep is an industrial social product, not a physiological fact. The health rule in the Tayyibat System is: listen to your body. Sleep when you sleep, wake when you wake, and do not fight your drowsiness or force your wakefulness. Sleep anxiety is worse than lack of sleep. Worship and health do not contradict; rather, they complement each other in a balanced understanding.
Read Also
- What is the Tayyibat System?
- List of Forbidden and Allowed Foods in the Tayyibat System
- Biography of Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi
- Download the Tayyibat System PDF
This article is a simplified and organized summary of the video content, aiming to arrange the ideas and concepts mentioned in it and connect them to their context within the Tayyibat System. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
He believes “subatan” means sleep in general, cutting off and interrupting activity, not specifically night-time sleep. The verse speaks of the blessing of sleep wherever and whenever it occurs, not the obligation to sleep only at night.
No. The verses describe the night as “garment,” “rest,” and “calm,” and sleep is mentioned both at night and during the day as a sign of Allah. There is no explicit divine command that a person must sleep exclusively at night.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, slept and woke according to his needs and environment. Night prayer was worship, and sleeping after Isha was a healthy habit in his environment. Dr. Diaa distinguishes between “guidance” and “obligation”; guidance is not binding on all people in all ages.
It is neither forbidden nor disliked as long as it does not disrupt basic worship. The body needs sleep whenever it needs it, and daytime sleep may be necessary (for guards, nurses, or travelers). Human nature does not specify one time for sleep.
No. This recommendation is an industrial social product related to the modern work system. Some people sleep 5-6 hours and are energetic, while others need 9 hours. Interrupted sleep (daytime naps) was common in ancient civilizations.
Do not force yourself to sleep at a specific time. Go to bed when you feel genuine drowsiness. If you haven’t slept after 20-30 minutes, get up and do something quiet until drowsiness returns. Anxiety about lack of sleep is worse than lack of sleep itself.
Cortisol rises in the morning and decreases at night, and melatonin is secreted in darkness. This explains why night sleep is easier for some, but the body adapts to any consistent pattern (night work, travel) if a suitable environment is provided (darkness, quiet).
No. Night prayer is a great act of worship, but balance is required. The Prophet would pray at night, then sleep part of it, or take a midday nap. Do not abandon worship under the pretext of sleep, nor abandon your health under the pretext of worship. Balanced understanding combines both.
