Between sleep and awakening
🌌 Between Sleep and Awakening: The Science and Mysticism of the Barzakh Realm
By Dr. Arshad Afzal (Pen Name: Faraz Parvez)
🔮 MysticWisdomHub.blogspot.com
Former Faculty, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
“There is a veil not of fabric, but of light and shadow, that separates this world from the next. Some cross it in dreams. Others cross it in their final breath. This is the Barzakh.”
🌙 Introduction: The Mysterious In-Between
In the Qur’an, Allah describes a barrier between two worlds — Barzakh — a space where souls dwell after leaving the body, and sometimes visit during deep dreams, visions, or spiritual journeys.
“…and behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:100)
This “veil” is not purely physical or purely spiritual — it is a bridge between realms, where time does not move as it does here, where form can shift, and where truth is revealed in symbols.
In Vedic mysticism, this parallels the Swapna (dream) and Turiya (pure consciousness) states, and in Tibetan traditions, it is akin to the Bardo — the intermediate state of being.
📜 Understanding Barzakh in Sufi Metaphysics
Sufis describe Barzakh as:
- The isthmus — neither fully material nor fully spiritual.
- A realm of forms — where thoughts become reality instantly.
- A waiting station for souls after death.
- A meeting ground for the living and the departed during certain states.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Arabi, the great Sufi mystic, called it ‘Alam al-Mithal — the “World of Images” — a plane where spiritual truths take symbolic shapes.
🌟 When Do We Touch the Barzakh?
Barzakh is not only entered after death — we touch its edges in special moments:
- During true dreams (Ru’ya Sadiqa).
- In deep dhikr or muraqabah meditation.
- In near-death experiences (NDEs).
- During sleep paralysis or lucid dreaming.
- At the moment between waking and sleeping (hypnagogia).
💠 Signs You Have Visited the Barzakh Realm
- Seeing deceased relatives who speak with clarity and peace.
- Dreams that feel more real than waking life.
- Receiving symbolic messages that later prove true.
- Encountering vast landscapes of light or shadow that feel eternal.
- Feeling a deep, wordless peace — or overwhelming awe.
🧠 The Science of the In-Between
Modern neuroscience calls the transitional state between sleep and waking the hypnagogic state — a gateway where the brain enters theta waves, making it highly receptive to visions, intuition, and altered perception.
Mystics across cultures have used this state for:
- Receiving inspiration (poets, prophets, inventors).
- Healing through symbolic visions.
- Receiving guidance from higher realms.
🪬 Qur’anic and Prophetic Insights into Dream-Barzakh Connection
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The truest dreams are those seen in the early morning.” — (Sahih Muslim)
In authentic hadith, dreams are said to be one part of 46 parts of Prophethood, meaning they can carry Divine messages.
These visions are often seen in Barzakh, where the soul is partially detached from the body during sleep.
🌙 Sufi Practices to Safely Enter Barzakh States
Because Barzakh is not only light but also a realm where unrefined spirits exist, protection is essential.
1️⃣ Night Preparation Ritual
- Perform ablution (wudu) before bed.
- Recite Ayat al-Kursi and Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Naas × 3 each.
- Ask Allah for protection and truth in visions.
2️⃣ Barzakh Dhikr Before Sleep
- Inhale deeply, silently saying Allah.
- Exhale slowly, silently saying Hu.
- Repeat × 111 until sleep naturally comes.
3️⃣ Dream Sealing
- Place your right hand on your heart before sleeping.
- Say: “Ya Hafiz, Ya Nur, guide me only to what is good for my soul.”
🜂 Vedic and Sufi Parallels in Navigating the In-Between
- Vedic Swapna = Sufi Ru’ya (true dream visions).
- Vedic Turiya = Sufi Fana (ego annihilation in Divine presence).
- Astral travel in yogic practice mirrors Sufi Ruh Safar (soul travel).
Both traditions emphasize:
- Moral purity before attempting entry.
- Guidance from a teacher (Murshid / Guru).
- Using the state for wisdom, not entertainment.
🧿 Why Some Fear the Barzakh
Because Barzakh is a mirror of your own soul:
- If you carry light — you meet light.
- If you carry shadow — you meet shadow.
Unprepared seekers may face:
- Distorted visions
- Frightening forms
- False messages from lower entities
This is why the Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes taqwa (God-consciousness) — it is your shield in all worlds.
🌌 Lessons from the Barzakh Realm
Those who visit and return often bring back:
- Greater compassion and humility.
- Loss of fear of death.
- Clarity on life purpose.
- Urgency to live a life of meaning.
📿 Sufi Invocation for Guided Barzakh Journeys
Recite before spiritual sleep:
Ya Nur, Ya Hadi, Ya Quddus × 33 each
Then say: “Show me what will bring me closer to You.”
🪞 What to Do with Messages from Barzakh
- Record Immediately: Keep a dream journal by your bed.
- Discern Symbolism: Not every image is literal — many are symbolic keys.
- Seek Guidance: Share with a trusted spiritual teacher.
- Act if Clear: If a vision aligns with Qur’an and Sunnah, take the inspired step.
✨ Final Reflection: “The Barzakh is not an escape — it is a reminder.”
The Barzakh realm reminds us that this life is a shadow of a greater reality.
It is both a classroom and a mirror.
It offers glimpses of the eternal — but always sends you back to live more consciously in the now.
“He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden.” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:3)
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