129 / Remembrances upon Waking from Sleep

Among the remembrances prescribed for a Muslim to recite upon waking is the report established in Sunan al-Tirmidhī from Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “When one of you awakens, let him say: ‘All praise is for Allah, who has kept my body healthy, restored my soul to me, and permitted me to remember Him.’”1.

This expresses praise of Allah—Mighty and Majestic—for bodily health and freedom from illnesses and ailments. It also praises Him for restoring the servant’s soul so that he may increase in obedience, perform more worship, and devote himself to remembrance. Hence the words, “and permitted me to remember Him,” meaning: He granted me success in doing so and helped me to do it.

The permission intended here is permission under Allah’s universal decree. This is because, when permission is mentioned in the revealed texts, it sometimes refers to permission under the universal decree and at other times to permission under the religious law. It is well known that Allah—Mighty and Majestic—has permitted all His servants under His religious law to remember Him and remain steadfast in obedience to Him. Yet, under His universal decree, He has permitted and enabled only those whom He has blessed with faith, guided to Islam, and granted success in doing good. Thus, whoever is permitted by Allah under His universal decree to remember Him has been honored with the greatest distinction and guided, through His enabling grace and favor, to goodness. This is among the greatest blessings for which praise is due. A Muslim is therefore prescribed to praise Allah—Mighty and Majestic—for this tremendous blessing and to thank Him—glory be to Him—for this gift and favor.

Reflect, my brother: Allah is the One who permits remembrance; the servant is the one who benefits from it; and Allah is the One who rewards it. Thus, in His immense bounty and abundant beneficence, He—glory be to Him—