Ablution is referred to by its Arabic name, “wudu”. It is customary to conduct Wudu in front of touching or reading the Qur’an, in addition to performing formal prayers (salat). An example of an impure behaviour that renders wudu invalid is urination. Other instances include feces, farts, deep sleep, light bleeding, and engaging in sexual activity.
Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran,
“O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.
– Qur’an 5:6.”
Does Sleeping Break Wudu?
Does light sleep break wudu? The question is not easy to answer. In this article, we’ll discuss the whys and whens of light sleep during wudu. In addition, we’ll look at the different types of sleep and how they differ in Islamic law.
Is it permissible to sleep during wudu? The answer depends on the amount of sleep you have.
Some scholars have said that a light nap is fine, while others say that a deep nap invalidates wudu.
However, you need to be careful not to fall prey to people who say that naps are not permissible.
Condition
To break wudu, you need to be sure of your condition first. If you have odorous or audible flatulence, you may have a problem with the wudu.
If you have semen, you will need to apply a ghusl. If you are prone to incontinence, such as if you are in bed for more than one hour a day, wudu will not be valid.
According to the Malikis, it is permissible to sleep during wudu. In this way, it increases the likelihood of a breaking wudu. But there is a difference between light sleep and heavy sleep.
Does Light Sleep Break Wudu?
If you are tired during the day, you can use the time to do some light sleep. If you sleep for less than a few hours per night, you will not break your wudu.
Hence, it is important to make sure that you get enough rest during the day to stay awake for the prayers.
The Islamic belief states that a Muslim has to perform ablution before performing prayer and touching the Holy Quran. It is not a full body shower, but a short shower to cleanse the dirtiest parts of his body, such as the hands and the inside of his nose.
It also requires washing the hair and arms to the elbow. The ablution does not invalidate the Salat, but it does not break wudu.
In addition, the Ahnaaf prefers to see the buttocks firmly clinched to the seat. Thus, even though the wudhu does not break when a person is lying on his or her side or lying on his or her back, it will be broken if the person is not fully awake.
Why Does Sleep Break Wudu?
Scholars have questioned the validity of sleeping during wudu, and their conclusions have varied. Some have claimed that a nap does not invalidate wudu, while others say that it does.
It is important to be cautious about people who claim that naps invalidate wudu, as they might be referring to light naps.
Therefore, if we find ourselves nodding asleep, we need to wake ourselves up and determine whether or not we have flatulence.
However, this presents a challenge since our level of awareness decreases when we are sleeping.
The only straightforward method available to determine whether or not we flatulence, when we are sleeping, is to analyse our sleeping positions.
When we sleep on our stomachs or backs, our wudu is broken, and vice versa.
Whether we sleep in an upright position, we have to check to see if we’ve farted throughout the night.
Because sitting is one of the acts that has the potential to hold a fart, it is essential.
While a heavy sleep will surely invalidate wudu, a little sleep might not. The level of awareness is what will determine the validity of wudu.
It is always better to stay awake and conscious during wudu than to sleep. This is to prevent wind discharge and ensure proper ablution.
If you are trying to offer supplications during wudu, it is better to be conscious of your surroundings.
Does Sleeping Break Wudu According to Hanafi?
There is a debate about whether sleep breaks wudu. According to some Muslim scholars, it does.
According to this view, sleeping invalidates wudu because the guard relaxes and gas is missed. Others argue that sleep does not invalidate wudu.
The issue of whether sleeping breaks wudu is largely based on the understanding of the Imams. Both Imam Malik and Shafiee madhab have taken opposite views on this issue.
They argue that light sleep is acceptable, but that sleeping on an animal’s back does not invalidate wudu.
However, there are some scholars who disagree. Some hold that a substantial amount of sleep breaks wudu. Others say that it does not break wudu if it is accompanied by shahwah.
Then there are some who claim that touching the back of the hand or palm of the hand invalidates wudu. However, Abu Huraira describes the action as grasping, while linguists hold that it is the palm of the hand that breaks wudu.
Conclusion
Many Muslim scholars disagree on the issue of sleeping-breaking wudu. Some of them say that all sleep, regardless of the position in which the person lies, invalidates the act of wudu.
Others, however, believe that sleeping does not invalidate wudu but its position.
The issue of sleep is a spiritual phenomenon and should not be interpreted as a physical one. We cannot properly interpret it as a biological phenomenon without proper recognition of the soul.
Therefore, it is imperative to understand the issue in light of this truth. It is possible to sleep well during the day without invalidating the wudu.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Abandon that which makes you doubt and adopt that which does not make you doubt. Truth convinces the heart, and falsehood makes the heart question and doubt.”
In the light of this hadith, we should avoid the thing which makes us doubtful.
