Are you a night person 🌙 or a morning person ☀️?

Assalamu'alaikum, 

If you haven’t guessed already, I’m a morning person. I love waking up early, praying, doing my athkar, reciting Quran, making a fresh cup of coffee, exercise and write —all before the kids wake up! 

For a long time, I was convinced that being a morning person was the only path to productivity. I even felt that, as a productive Muslim, being a night owl wasn’t an option. I’d often quote the hadith, “There’s barakah in my Ummah in the early hours,” as proof that early mornings were the best way.

But as I got older (and hopefully wiser) and dug into the science behind our sleep patterns, I learned that it’s not so simple. Research around chronotypes (our natural sleep-wake preferences) and circadian rhythms shows that people’s sleep cycles are influenced by more than willpower—they’re shaped by genetics, age, and environment. Maybe there isn’t a clear “winner” between morning and night people.

The Morning Person's Struggles

Let me be honest - if you visit me after 10 PM, you won't find the best version of me. By then, I'm practically a zombie: tired, cranky, and dreaming of my bed. This comes with real challenges:

• Struggling with Isha prayer, especially during summer months

• Getting moody at night due to exhaustion

• Missing out on family and social gatherings (especially in cultures that favor late-night dinners!)

The Perks of Being a Night Person

Ask a night person about late prayers or evening gatherings, and you'll see their eyes light up! Their day truly begins after Maghrib. This becomes especially beneficial during Ramadan - they thrive during Taraweeh and Qiyam while morning folks like me struggle to keep our eyes open!

Letting Go of the Guilt of Being a Night Person

For those who sometimes feel “guilty” about being night people, here’s a reminder: Allah (SWT) created us with different rhythms for a reason. Embrace your strengths, and use them to fulfill your purpose. Did you know that some of our most renowned scholars, for example, Imam Al-Shafeei, was a night owl?

If you’re naturally inclined toward the night, dedicate some of that time to extra prayers, reflection, or meaningful work. If you’re a morning person, make use of the early hours for focused worship or productivity.

Each chronotype has its own jihad: for night people, it’s the struggle to wake up for Fajr; for morning people, it’s the challenge of staying up for Isha or night prayers. As the Prophet (SAW) said, "Work for each of you would be made easy what you've been created for."

But What About the Barakah of Early Mornings?

For my night friends, my advice is simple (yet not easy!): get up for Fajr, and try to stay up until sunrise to catch the barakah of these blessed hours. 

But if you miss the Barakah of the early hours, remember remember as a night person you have a unique ability to access the blessings of the last third of the night, a time especially beloved for worship and dua.

Can a Night Person Become a Morning Person?

If being a night person is harming you - spiritually, physically, and socially - then yes, it’s possible to shift from being a night person to becoming a morning person! It may take weeks or months, but with patience and persistence, you can make the shift insha'Allah. Here are some practical tips:

1. Set the Intention: Why do you want to become a morning person? Write down your niyyah for becoming a morning person so you can stick to this shift for the long haul.

2. Gradual Adjustments: Move your bedtime and wake-up time by 15–30 minutes every few days (keeping Isha and Fajr prayer in mind). It's best to do this during winter when Isha is early, and Fajr is late, and you’re more likely to sleep early.

3. Natural Light Exposure: Morning sunlight helps reset your body’s internal clock. Spending 10-15 minutes outdoors in the morning after fajr is a great way to start your day too!

4. Healthy Habits: Exercise regularly, limit caffeine in the evening, and reduce blue light exposure before bed.

5. Dua: Ask Allah who gave you the ability to be a night person to shift you in becoming a morning person

Final thought: A Society for All Chronotypes?

One of the biggest challenges night people face is that society is often structured around early mornings. Schools and workplaces tend to favor morning routines, which can lead to sleep deprivation and reduced productivity for night people. 

Moreover, we tend to chastise night people because they tend to wake up late and are not as ‘productive’ during the day as morning people.

Imagine if society were designed to accommodate both morning and night people. Flexible schedules in workplaces and remote work could allow everyone to perform their best during their optimal hours. Perhaps schools can have extended hours to accommodate both types of students and teachers.

What do you think? Could our ummah benefit from embracing both the early birds and night owls among us? After all, Allah (SWT) created us with such diversity - perhaps it's time our society reflected that divine wisdom.

Until next time, may Allah grant us all barakah in our times, whether we're catching the first light of dawn or finding peace in the still of night.

Sincerely,