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Where do Souls Go When We Sleep in Islam?

Published in Islamic Spirituality 2 mins read

In Islam, when a person sleeps, it is believed that their soul returns to its origin station.

Understanding the Islamic View of the Soul

The Islamic perspective on the soul is that it comes from a transcendent world before entering this material world. This idea is central to understanding where the soul goes during sleep.

  • Origin of the Soul: Islamic texts suggest that souls originate from a non-physical realm.
  • Entry into the Material World: At birth, the soul enters the body to experience earthly life.
  • Return During Sleep: When a person sleeps, the soul temporarily returns back to its origin station, as described in the reference. This implies a temporary disengagement from the physical body.

Table Summarizing Soul's Journey

State Location of Soul
Awake Resides within the body in this material world
Sleeping Returns to its origin station in the transcendent realm

Details About the "Origin Station"

The concept of the "origin station" is significant:

  • It's a place of spiritual origin: The soul doesn't just randomly float around, but returns to a specific spiritual place, which is linked to its origin before birth.
  • Temporary State: This return is temporary, lasting only until the person awakens.
  • Spiritual Rest: The return to the origin station can be seen as a form of spiritual rest and a reconnection to the soul’s source.

Example

Imagine your soul as a fish in the ocean (the material world). When the fish is caught (born), it lives in a pond (your body). During sleeping, the fish is released back into the ocean where it is naturally from, its “origin station”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, according to Islamic beliefs, when you sleep, your soul is believed to temporarily return to its origin station in the transcendent realm before re-entering your body upon waking.