Hadith #10760

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ كَثُرَ فِي لَيْلِهِ نَوْمُهُ فاتَهُ مِنَ العَمَلِ ما لايَسْتَدْرِكُهُ فِي يَوْمِهِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of not oversleeping at night, as it leads to missing out on opportunities to perform good deeds that cannot be compensated for during the daytime.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze its key words and their implications. The word (kathura) "كَثُرَ" means "to increase" or "to multiply." In this context, it refers to excessive sleep during the night. The word (nawmuhu) "نَوْمُهُ" means "his sleep," indicating the act of sleeping itself. The word (fatahu) "فاتَهُ" means "he misses" or "he loses." It signifies the loss of an opportunity or a chance. The phrase (ma la yastadrikuhu) "مَا لايَسْتَدْرِكُهُ" means

that which he cannot make up for

or

that which he cannot catch up with.

It implies the inability to compensate for the missed opportunities during the daytime. Finally, the word (amal) "عَمَلِ" means "deeds" or "actions."

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 28,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

This verse highlights the importance of being in the company of those who remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and engage in acts of worship during the morning and evening. It encourages us to prioritize spiritual pursuits over worldly desires. By oversleeping at night, one may miss the opportunity to be in the company of the righteous and engage in acts of worship, thus losing out on the immense spiritual benefits.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Muzzammil, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an.

This verse highlights the dedication of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions in spending a significant portion of the night in prayer. It acknowledges that not everyone has the ability to engage in such extensive acts of worship throughout the night. However, it is important to strike a balance and not let excessive sleep hinder our ability to perform good deeds during the day.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of utilizing our time wisely and not squandering it in excessive sleep. It encourages us to prioritize acts of worship and seize the opportunities presented to us during the day. By doing so, we can maximize our spiritual growth and strive to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to strike a balance in our lives, ensuring that we do not neglect our spiritual obligations due to excessive sleep. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to make the most of our time and engage in righteous actions that bring us closer to Him.