Dormant… but Not Quite Sleep
Jummah Mubarak, sis! Nature offers us many insights into appreciating Islam and the truths in our sacred texts. For instance, the cycles of renewal in our faith mirror the orbits of planets. Similarly, consider sleep: during rest, our bodies rejuvenate, and we often wake up refreshed. This cycle repeats throughout our lives, and some experts even consider sleep to a “mini death.” Could these periods of dormancy serve as reminders to prepare for our final departure?
Take Water Bears (Tardigrades) as an example—they endure extreme conditions by going dormant and become active only when conditions improve. Night can be seen as an unfavorable time, yet we reset and thrive during the day when circumstances are better. Life itself may be viewed as an extreme environment compared to Jannah, and just like Water Bears, we can endure for years as we await our own favorable conditions.
Surah Al-Insan | 1-31
…..هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًا
Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning?…..
The concept of Jannah in the Quran represents the beginning of an eternal life brimming with limitless joys and pleasures. While we receive descriptions in words we can comprehend, the true essence of Jannah is beyond our full understanding. There are aspects of Jannah that are indescribable, as they are beyond our experiences. Even the highest level, Al-Firdous, offers only a glimpse of the infinite blessings that Allah (SWT) has prepared for those who remain patient and uphold righteousness in their beliefs and actions.
The preceding Surah discusses the clot and our formation from it, then transitions into how that fluid is guided. This theme of guidance reflects the various stages of life—from clot to fetus, baby, toddler, child, adult, and beyond. Our sacred texts serve as continual reminders, offering deep insights into what lies ahead, but only if we take the time to reflect on them.
Tardigrades (water bears) are tiny ecdysozoans capable of enduring extreme environmental conditions. Many species of tardigrades can undergo reversible morphological changes and enter a state called cryptobiosis, allowing them to survive during unfavorable conditions.
