Bulletin of Islamic Research
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026)

Qur’anic Concept of An-Naum Subāta: Linguistic Study and Relevance to Human Detoxification

Ilham Habibullah (University of Darussalam Gontor, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Indonesia)
Rochmad Rochmad (University of Darussalam Gontor, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Indonesia)
Mahmud Rifaannudin (University of Darussalam Gontor, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Indonesia)
Muhammad Hafidz Syaputra Utama (University of Darussalam Gontor, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Jul 2026

Abstract

Purpose – Sleep is a fundamental biological necessity recognized in both the Qur’an and contemporary scientific research. The Qur’an refers to sleep through the terms an-naum, denoting natural rest for physical and mental restoration, and subāt, describing deep and restorative sleep that temporarily suspends human activity. This study aims to analyze the terminological meanings of an-naum and subāt in the Qur’an and to examine their relationship with the human body’s detoxification process from the perspective of modern neuroscience. Design/methodology/approach – This study employs a qualitative library-based research design using descriptive-analytical methods. The analysis focuses on QS. Al-Furqān (25): 47 and QS. An-Naba’ (78): 9 through linguistic interpretation (i‘jāz bayānī) and scientific interpretation (i‘jāz ‘ilmī). Relevant literature in Qur’anic exegesis, sleep science, and neuroscience is critically examined to explore the correspondence between Qur’anic concepts and contemporary scientific findings. Findings – The study demonstrates a significant convergence between the Qur’anic concept of sleep and modern scientific understanding of sleep physiology. While an-naum reflects the general biological function of rest, subāt corresponds conceptually to the deep sleep phase, during which restorative processes and brain detoxification mechanisms are most active. The findings indicate that the Qur’an portrays sleep not only as a divine blessing and physiological necessity but also contains scientific indications that are consistent with contemporary explanations of neural recovery and metabolic waste clearance during deep sleep. Research implications/limitations – As a conceptual study based on literature analysis, the findings remain interpretive and have not been validated through empirical biomedical research. Future interdisciplinary studies involving Qur’anic scholarship, neuroscience, and sleep medicine are needed to further examine the proposed conceptual relationship. Originality/value – This study contributes to the growing field of Qur’an and science by integrating Qur’anic semantics with contemporary neuroscience. It offers a novel interpretation of an-naum and subāt as complementary concepts of sleep physiology, enriching the discourse on i‘jāz ‘ilmī while highlighting the importance of sleep quality for both physical and spiritual well-being.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bir

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Aims The Bulletin of Islamic Research aims to advance Religious Studies through an interdisciplinary investigation of the role of religion particularly Islam in addressing contemporary global challenges, including globalization, social transformation, and sustainability. It examines the influence of ...