Forgotten Sunnah: Qailulah

The mid-day napping is a often forgotten sunnah of the Prophet sws that has many benefits. Like all of the Sunnahs of Rasulullah sws, the mid-day napping known as "Qailulah" is a significant one. It's also proven to have many advantages scientifically. Rasulullah's (sws) prophetic wisdom far exceeds any scientific claims, but it's interesting to see evidence of such practices from over 1500 years ago now being the subject of recent scientific discoveries. Below is a great read describing this forgotten tradition.

"Qailulah is the short nap (forty winks) some time after midday. It is a nap encouraged by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). There are many benefits in qailulah. In fact, in every act commanded by Allah Ta’ala there are benefits for man. Allah Ta’ala, The Creator is fully aware of the requirements of the physical body and the celestial soul. All acts of Islamic ibaadat have been divinely designed for providing considerable benefit to both the body and the soul. Furthermore, although these acts are for our own benefit, Allah Ta’ala in His kindness and mercy rewards us when these acts are executed with the intention of ibaadat.
With regard to qailulah, it is narrated in the Hadith:
* “Take a nap (i.e. the qailulah), for verily, shaitaan does not make qailulah.”
* “The nap at midday increases intelligence.”
* “Seek aid with the food of Sehri for the fast of the day, and with qailulah for the Salaat of the night (Tahajjud).”
The Mashaaikh say that qailulah without performance of Tahajjud is like sehri without fasting. Qailulah is at any time after midday preferably before Zuhr Salaat.
Even western researchers claim that there is considerable benefit in the afternoon nap. Although we are generally averse to cite non-Muslim experts to substantiate Shar’i realities, it is sometimes advisable to present their findings in view of the malady of mental inferiority which afflicts Muslims today. They are awed by the findings of the atheist western scientists. In a recent press report, it is mentioned:
“They found snoozing for just one hour in the day is enough to increase the brain’s ability to learn new facts in the hours that follow. Medical researchers have shown that power naps not only refresh the mind, they also make people smarter. Dr. Matthew Walker, a psychologist at the University of California, who led the study said: ‘Sleep not only rights the wrong of prolonged wakefulness, but at a neuro-cognitive level, it moves you beyond where you were before you took a nap.”

Ma'Assalama--
Hena