Colin Snow
While there is no explicit reason given in Shariah about why newborns smile in their sleep, some Islamic sources suggest that it is because they are having pleasant dreams or that angels are playing with them. Others suggest that it is simply a reflex or a response to feeling comfortable and content. From a scientific perspective, it is believed that babies smile in their sleep during the REM phase, which is characterised by rapid eye movement and involuntary movements that may contribute to smiles and laughter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for newborns smiling in their sleep in Islam | No reason is given in Shariah |
| Other possible reasons | Newborns may smile when they are in good health, satisfied with their suckling, feel comfortable in their bed and clothes, etc. |
| Islamic folklore | Angels play with newborns in their sleep, making them smile |
| Scientific reason | Babies may smile in their sleep during the REM stage, when their bodies make involuntary movements. |
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What You'll Learn
Angels playing with newborns
It is widely believed in Islam that newborn babies smile in their sleep because angels play with them. Some Muslims have shared that they have heard this since their childhood. However, there is no explicit mention of this in the Shariah.
Some Muslims believe that angels are appointed to guard a person, and this protection extends beyond physical safety. In the case of children, angels assist in making them tranquil during sleep, play, and so on.
While there is no definitive answer to why newborns smile in their sleep, it is believed that it could be a reflex or a subconscious response from their brains. During the REM phase of sleep, newborns may smile, laugh, jerk, whimper, cry, or jump. Their bodies can make involuntary movements, which may contribute to smiles and laughter. It is also thought that their developing brains record daily experiences while they are awake, and these experiences are processed while they are asleep, leading to smiles or laughter.
Some Muslims believe that newborns smile when they are in good health, satisfied with their feeding, or comfortable in their bed and clothes.
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Pleasant experiences
A newborn baby's smile is a source of wonder and joy for parents, family, and friends. While the exact cause of a baby's smile remains unknown, some theories suggest that it is a physical response to pleasant dreams or a way of expressing joy and contentment.
Some experts believe that newborns smile in their sleep because they are dreaming about pleasant experiences, such as being in the womb or breastfeeding. When babies dream, their facial muscles are activated, causing them to smile or make smile-like expressions. This theory is supported by the observation that newborn smiles are often accompanied by other positive physical reactions, such as slow blinks, soft gurgling, and cooing sounds.
In Islam, there is no specific reason given in Shariah for a newborn's smile. However, it may be attributed to the baby's overall well-being, such as good health, satisfaction from suckling, or feeling comfortable in their environment. Additionally, some cultural beliefs suggest that a baby's smile in their sleep is associated with positive experiences, such as angels playing with them or bringing happiness.
The mystery behind a newborn's smile remains a captivating phenomenon, and it serves as a reminder of the innocence and beauty of new life. These smiles are not only heartwarming but also contribute to the emotional well-being and bonding between the baby and their caregivers.
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Good health and comfort
In Islam, the birth of a child is a momentous occasion, and it is considered that every child is a gift from Allah. It is recommended that the Adhan (call to prayer) is recited softly and gently into the baby's right ear, and the Iqamah (call to commence prayer) in the left ear. This is done to welcome the baby to a life of faith and devotion, and to signify the parents' intention to raise their child according to Islamic principles.
There are several practices and guidelines in Islam that relate to the good health and comfort of newborns. For example, it is considered a Sunnah (a practice of the Prophet Muhammad) to perform Tahneek, where a small piece of softened date is rubbed on the baby's palate. This is believed to bring blessings and sweetness to the child's life and symbolises their first taste of something sweet and wholesome.
Another practice is Aqiqah, which involves the distribution of meat to the community's less fortunate members. This act of charity reflects Islamic values of compassion, generosity, and social responsibility. Additionally, circumcision is considered a Sunnah for boys, promoting hygiene and health benefits, as well as symbolising the covenant between Allah and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
In terms of physical care, it is recommended that newborns be breastfed by someone other than their mother for the first two to three days after birth. This is based on the belief that the mother's milk will be thicker and contain different ingredients during this initial period. Newborns are also advised to be given only milk until their teeth appear, as their stomachs are weak and unable to digest food.
When it comes to sleep, it is permissible in Islam for a child to occasionally share a bed with their parents or other close family members. However, it is more typical for each person to sleep in their own bed most of the time. Babies' sleep patterns typically settle into a regular rhythm over time, with shorter cycles that gradually lengthen as they grow. Establishing healthy sleep habits early on can help ensure that children get the sleep they need for their metabolism and bio-cellular activity.
While there may be cultural beliefs and folklore about newborns' smiles, such as angels playing with them, there is no definitive Islamic explanation for this phenomenon. Some Muslims may simply attribute it to pleasant experiences or thoughts that the baby is having while asleep.
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Involuntary movements
While there is no Islamic explanation for why newborns smile in their sleep, sources do provide some insight into involuntary movements in newborns that may cause them to smile in their sleep.
Sleep is divided into two main types: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During the REM sleep stage, the eyes move rapidly underneath the eyelids, and brain activity is high. This is when most dreaming occurs. Newborns spend about 50% of their sleep time in REM sleep, compared to adults, who spend only about 20-25%. This high percentage of REM sleep plays a significant role in their smiles. During the NREM stage, the body experiences a stand-by mode where the heartbeat and breathing are at their slowest, and the body repairs and regrows tissues, builds bones and muscles, and strengthens the immune system.
Reflex smiles are involuntary and occur as part of brain development. They are usually random and not connected to any external stimuli. These smiles are often fleeting and are triggered by signals sent from the developing brain to various body parts, including the facial muscles. As the brain matures, these reflex smiles pave the way for social smiles and responses to interactions with others. They are also crucial for the baby's emotional development and bonding with caregivers, fostering secure attachments and emotional growth.
In addition to reflexes, involuntary movements during sleep may also contribute to smiles and laughter from babies. These movements can include twitching or jerking and are typically observed during active sleep or REM sleep. While these movements are generally harmless, in rare cases, they can indicate gelastic seizures, which are short seizures lasting around 10 to 20 seconds and can occur while falling asleep or during sleep.
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Development of human emotions
Emotional development refers to the emergence of the experience, expression, understanding, and regulation of emotions from birth and the growth and change in these capacities throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This development occurs alongside neural, cognitive, and behavioral development and is influenced by the specific social and cultural context of an individual.
At birth, infants exhibit two emotional responses: attraction and withdrawal. They are attracted to pleasant situations that bring comfort, stimulation, and pleasure, and they withdraw from unpleasant stimulation, such as bitter flavors or physical discomfort. As they grow, infants develop attachments to their primary caregivers and may show anxiety when separated from them. They also start to develop a sense of self as they become aware of their ability to make things happen.
During the first few months of life, infants gain rudimentary cognitive and memory capacities, and they begin to express particular emotions based on context. They selectively smile at familiar faces and at other infants, and their caregivers begin to share positive emotional exchanges with them. Social smiles and other expressions of joy promote social interaction and healthy attachment relationships with primary caregivers.
As infants grow into toddlers, they start to experience and express more complex, self-conscious emotions such as shame, guilt, and pride. They also begin to use language to help regulate their emotions, rather than relying solely on physical self-soothing strategies like thumb-sucking. The development of emotions during infancy and toddlerhood sets the foundation for emotional experiences and expressions throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
In the context of Islam, there is no definitive explanation in Shariah for why newborn babies smile in their sleep. Some Muslims believe that it is because the angels play with them, while others suggest that it could be due to pleasant thoughts or experiences, such as being in good health, feeling comfortable, or being satisfied with their feeding.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no reason given in Shariah about why newborns smile in their sleep. It could be that they are in good health, satisfied with their suckling, or feeling comfortable. Some believe it is because angels play with them while they sleep.
There are some rulings in Islamic law that relate to the care of newborn infants, including the offer of a sacrifice, circumcision of boys, and rubbing the inside of the baby's mouth with a chewed-up date.
Some general concepts in Islamic law that relate to newborn care include following the advice of doctors and educators, and some specific commands and prohibitions.
It is considered better to have someone other than the mother breastfeed the child two or three days after birth, as the mother's milk will be thick and contain different ingredients at this time.
It is permissible for a child to occasionally sleep in the same bed as their parents, as demonstrated by the example of Ibn 'Abbaas sleeping in the bed of his maternal aunt, Maymoonah.
The Prophet taught that smacking a child for discipline should only be done after the age of ten.
