myself. Rather, wait, give your soul its right, and in due course the objective will be met.

Likewise, consider what some students do: you may find one of them poring over his lessons while drowsy. He exhausts himself yet gains nothing, for whoever revises while sleepy derives no benefit; even if he imagines he is learning, in fact he learns absolutely nothing. Therefore, whenever drowsiness overtakes a person while reviewing books—whether set textbooks or anything else—he should close the book, go to sleep, and take his rest.

This applies at every time of day. If, for instance, sleepiness comes over someone after the ʿAṣr prayer and he wishes to lie down and rest, there is no harm; or after the Fajr prayer and he wishes to lie down and rest, there is no harm. Whenever sleep comes, then sleep, and whenever you feel energetic, then work: “So when you have finished, stand (in devotion), and to your Lord direct your longing” (al-Sharḥ 7–8). Make all matters easy on yourself—except for what Allah has made obligatory, which must be performed within its appointed time. As for voluntary deeds, the field is wide; do not overburden yourself with anything. We ask Allah to help me and you to remember Him, to thank Him, and to worship Him in the best manner.

147—ʿĀʾishah (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When any one of you becomes drowsy while praying, let him lie down until the sleepiness departs, for one of you may begin to ask forgiveness yet end up supplicating against himself when he prays while drowsy.” Agreed upon.