Why Do I Not Sleep Peacefully Some Nights, Despite Praying?

Experiencing restlessness and insomnia, even after performing acts of worship and prayer, is a phenomenon many individuals encounter at various points in their lives. This state, often accompanied by inner anxiety and turmoil, can raise profound questions about one's relationship with the Creator and the efficacy of worship in bringing peace. From the perspective of the Holy Quran, true tranquility and inner peace are blessings bestowed by Allah, intimately linked to the quality of one's faith, reliance (Tawakkul), and the presence of heart (Khushu') during worship. When an individual continues to suffer from sleeplessness and unease despite praying and remembering God, this issue might serve as a sign for deeper reflection on various aspects of their spiritual and worldly life. The Quran explicitly states that the remembrance of Allah brings peace to hearts. In Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, it is revealed: “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” This foundational verse indicates that inner peace is a direct result of connecting with the Originator of existence and His remembrance. If, despite prayer, this peace is not attained, one must consider the quality of this remembrance and supplication. Is the prayer merely a verbal utterance, or is it expressed from the depths of the heart with full presence of mind and spirit? After praying, do we truly entrust our affairs to Allah, or do worldly worries and temptations continue to dominate us? One of the most significant inhibitors of peace is a lack of complete reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). Many of us pray, but in practice, we still bear the heavy burden of future anxieties, financial troubles, human relationships, or even health issues, without truly entrusting them to a higher power. In Surah At-Talaq, verse 3, the Quran states: “And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” Tawakkul does not mean abrogating responsibility; rather, it means exerting all possible effort and then entrusting the outcome to Allah with full confidence in His wisdom and divine plan. When this deep heartfelt trust is achieved, many roots of anxiety are withered, and peace takes their place. Furthermore, worldly life is consistently accompanied by trials and tribulations, and this is part of Allah’s divine decree. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that hardships and unease are part of the human journey of spiritual growth and purification. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155, it is mentioned: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” Sometimes, these sleepless nights or periods of unrest are themselves a form of divine test, meant to push individuals towards greater supplication, patience, and a remembrance of Allah's absolute power. In such circumstances, steadfastness and patience, coupled with an improvement in the quality of prayer and reliance on God, can be the key to overcoming this phase and achieving lasting peace. Moreover, inner turmoil can sometimes stem from sins, violations of others' rights (Huquq al-Nas), or negligence in fulfilling religious and ethical duties. If a heart is stained by sin or a conscience is troubled by injustice committed against others, true peace cannot be achieved even with prayer. Sincere repentance (Tawbah), making amends for wrongs committed against others, and inner purification are essential steps for peace to return to the heart. The Quran places great emphasis on seeking forgiveness and repentance, promising that by returning to Allah, sins are forgiven, and hearts are illuminated. Finally, another crucial point is not to be overly attached to worldly outcomes and desires. Sometimes, we pray to achieve what we want, and if it doesn't materialize, we become restless. However, divine wisdom might lie in the non-fulfillment of our apparent desires. Submission to Allah's will and acceptance of what He has decreed for us, even if it differs from our wishes, leads to peace. This is the concept of 'Rida bi Qadaillah' (contentment with Allah's decree), which signifies the highest degree of faith. Therefore, if you are not sleeping peacefully despite praying, perhaps it is necessary to look deeper into the quality of your prayers, the extent of your reliance, your readiness to face trials, the purity of your heart, and the degree of your attachment to worldly matters. This is an opportunity for spiritual growth and attaining a profound peace that no worldly thing can disrupt.