Does Sleep Invalidate Wudu (Ablution)?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani
Question
Does sleep invalidate wudu (ablution)?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.
Invalidator of Wudu
According to the Hanafi school, sleep invalidates wudu when it is a state of “non-firm” sleep, meaning that the person is not sitting in a manner that secures the body, making it possible for wind to exit while sleeping. For instance, sleep while reclining or lying down invalidates wudu.
However, if a person sleeps in a secure, seated position, their wudu is not invalidated.
Hadith
It is narrated from ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“The eyes are the leather strap (that ties up) the anus, so whoever falls asleep, let him perform ablution.” [Abu Dawud]
This means that the eyes act as a safeguard for the release of wind, and sleep loosens this safeguard.
Additionally, it was reported by Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that he saw the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) sleeping while in prostration until he was snoring or breathing heavily, and then he stood up and continued praying. Ibn ‘Abbas said: “O Messenger of Allah, you slept!” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied:
“Wudu is not required except for someone who sleeps while lying down, for when one lies down, the joints become relaxed.” [Tirmidhi]
Firm Sleep and Light Sleep
Imam Shurunbulali says:
“Wudu is invalidated by sleep, which is a natural pause causing the external and internal senses to cease functioning properly, including the ability to control the intellect.
This applies when the seating is not secure, such as lying down, reclining, or lying on one’s back. However, light drowsiness where one can still hear what is being said does not invalidate wudu, but deep sleep does.” [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
Conclusion
In the Hanafi view, sleep only invalidates wudu if the person is in an insecure position (e.g., lying down or reclining) where there is a chance that wind may exit the body. If one sleeps in a secure, seated position, wudu remains valid.
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.
Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.
From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.
His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.