Sleep is a natural human need that cannot be ignored. Sleep has many benefits for physical and mental health. But did you know that sleep also has a connection with faith? This is what happened to a British professor who converted to Islam after researching human sleep and surah Az-Zumar.
Who is Professor Arthur Alison?
Professor Arthur Alison is an expert in electrical and electronic engineering who once served as the Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of London, England. He is also the President of the British Society for Psychological and Spiritual Studies, an organization that studies the relationship between psychology and spirituality.
Professor Arthur Alison was not born as a Muslim. He studied various religions and beliefs, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and others. He was also an atheist who did not believe in God. But all that changed when he conducted research on human sleep.
How Did His Research on Human Sleep Lead Him to Islam?
Professor Arthur Alison was interested in researching human sleep because he wanted to know what happened to the human soul when he slept. Did the human soul stay in his body or leave his body? What is the difference between sleep and death?
In his research, he found that sleep and death had similarities, namely the separation between soul and body. But there was something missing and not returning in the case of death, namely the soul itself. Whereas in the case of sleep, the soul could still return to his body when he woke up.
Professor Arthur Alison was amazed by this phenomenon. He wondered who controlled this process. Who held the human soul when he slept and died? Who determined when the soul had to be held or released?
When he looked for answers to these questions, he found a verse in the Quran that surprised him. The verse is surah Az-Zumar verse 42, which reads:
Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends back (the souls of) others till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
Professor Arthur Alison felt that this verse explained perfectly what he found in his research. He realized that only Allah controlled life and death of humans. Only Allah created this universe with His wisdom and justice.
How Did He Convert to Islam?
Professor Arthur Alison did not immediately convert to Islam after reading that verse. He still conducted further research on Islam and the Quran. He wanted to make sure that Islam was the true religion and compatible with reason and science.
After several years of studying Islam, Professor Arthur Alison finally believed that Islam was the religion revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad SAW as a mercy for all creation. He also believed that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.
In 2023, Professor Arthur Alison recited the two testimonies of faith in front of a number of scholars and Islamic leaders at a conference in London. His conversion to Islam was broadcast live through social media and received a warm welcome from Muslims around the world.
What Message Can We Take from This Story?
The story of Professor Arthur Alison is one of the proofs that Islam is a universal religion that suits human nature. Islam also does not contradict science, but rather harmonizes and supports it.
We can learn from Professor Arthur Alison that we should always think and seek the truth. We should not be satisfied with what we know only, but rather continue to learn and develop ourselves. We should also be grateful to Allah who has given us guidance and direction.
May the story of Professor Arthur Alison be an inspiration and motivation for us all to love Islam more and practice it as best as we can. Ameen.
Source: santripos
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