Whats is Qailulah and its importance in Islam - قیلولہ کیا ہے اور اسلام میں اس کی اہمیت

What is Qailulah (Midday napping or Siesta) and its Importance in Islam

What is Qailulah (Midday napping or Siesta)?:

The word Qailulah is used in Islam, it means that it is midday napping or relaxation. Qailulah in Islam has a special significance because Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) preferred this habit. This habit of Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is adopted as Sunnah so that the blessings of Allah are obtained. The concept of Qailulah is of some specific features, based on some Quranic verses and Hadiths based on the act of Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). Therefore, the tradition of Qailulah is common, and it is different from different cultures around the world. Midday napping is also different, but it is mainly done for mental fitness and physical fitness.

Importance of Qailulah(Midday napping or Siesta) in Islam:

The word 'sleep' is used more than 10 times in the Quran, which explains that there are significant beneficial effects on human health of sleep. The habit of sleep also makes sense to humans that human beings are not like God, Who never keeps sleeping and resting, weakness is also part of humanity and it is a reality.

“Allah! There is no deity save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth.” (Quran 2:255)

In the above verses, both slumber and sleep are close to the midday napping or siesta. Sleep in the midday has been shown a few times in the Quran and it is considered part of the natural human health developed by God.

“And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who heed.” (Quran 30:23)

“When He made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that thereby He might purify you, and remove from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby.” ‎(Quran 8:11)‎

“Then, after grief, He sent down security for you. As slumber did it overcome a party of you.”(Quran 3:154)

Above verses show how midday napping or siesta creates courage in humans during the time of tension. Specialist scholars have interpreted the word used in verse as utterly drowsiness, due to which short and deep sleep causes mentally peace and physically peace. During the Gazwa Uhad and the Gazwa Badar, some Muslim soldiers took the short sleep during which their swords and shields fell down unintentionally. (Quran 8:11, 3:154)

In Islam Qailulah (midday napping or siesta) is encouraged very much based on the Hadiths (the act performed by the Prophert Muhammad (B.P.U.H.)). Practices of Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), including taking midday nap, is encouraged and rewarded in Islam.

The following narrations have been mentioned about the midday nap from some Hadiths scholars. (Imam Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, and Imam Tirmidhi)

1.                 Narrated Anas: ”We used to offer the Friday prayer early and then have the afternoon nap.”‎

Sahih Al-Bukhari. ‎Volume 11, hadith 940. ‎

2.                 Narrated Sahl: “We used to offer the Friday prayer with the Prophet (PBUH) and then take the afternoon nap.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari. Volume 11, hadith 941.

3.                 Sahl bin Sa’d said: ‎”We had a siesta or lunch after the Friday ‎prayer.”

‎ Sunan Abu Daud. The Book of Prayer, hadith ‎‎1086.

4.                 Sahl bin Sa’d said: “We did ‎not take a Qailulah nor eat Ghada until after ‎Friday (prayer).”

Sunan Ibn Majah. Volume 5, hadith 1099. ‎

5.                 Sahl bin Sa‘d narrated: “We would not have ‎lunch during the time of Allah’s Messenger ‎‎(PBUH), nor would we have a siesta, until after ‎the Friday prayer.”‎

Sunan Al-Tirmidhi. Volume 378, hadith 525.