In Islam, death during sleep is understood as Allah taking the soul at its appointed time, as highlighted in the Quran.
The Islamic Perspective on Death in Sleep
The Quran provides insights into the concept of the soul's departure, both during sleep and at death, emphasizing Allah's complete control over this process. Specifically, Chapter 39 (Surah Az-Zumar), verse 42, states:
"It is Allah Who takes the souls at death and the soul of the one, who has not yet died, during sleep. Then He withholds that for whom He decrees death and restores the souls of others till an appointed time."
This verse clarifies the following points:
- Allah's Authority: It is Allah who takes the souls at the time of death.
- Souls During Sleep: Even during sleep, a soul is taken, but it may be returned.
- Decision of Death: If Allah decrees death, the soul is not returned; if not, it is restored to the body until the individual's predetermined time of death.
Understanding the Process
According to Islamic teachings, death is not simply a physical cessation of life; it is the separation of the soul from the body. This verse shows that:
- Temporary Departure: During sleep, the soul temporarily departs the body. This is the 'taking' of the soul mentioned.
- Return of the Soul: The verse notes that most souls are returned to their bodies upon waking.
- Permanent Departure: In the case of death during sleep, Allah withholds the soul, and it is not returned to the body. This signifies the end of the individual's worldly life.
Key Takeaways
- Allah's Sovereignty: Allah has complete sovereignty over the life and death of all beings.
- Preordained Time: Every individual has a specific time decreed for their death by Allah.
- Spiritual Dimension: Death is a spiritual process involving the soul, not just a physical event.
- Sleep as a Reminder: Sleep provides a glimpse of death, a temporary separation of the soul from the body.
Example:
Imagine two people go to sleep:
- Person A wakes up in the morning; their soul was returned.
- Person B does not wake up; their soul was withheld by Allah at the time of sleep.
In both instances, the souls were 'taken' during sleep, but with different outcomes as per Allah's decree.
Conclusion
Death in sleep, according to Islam, is a divinely ordained event. The soul’s departure and non-return signifies that Allah has decided that an individual's time on earth has come to an end, as the soul was withheld and not returned upon waking from sleep. This concept is rooted in the belief that Allah is the ultimate arbiter of life and death.
