Answered by Sidi Fadi Qutub Zada
My question deals with wudu and if it is valid after sleep. For example, if I performed wudu, then prayed Isha Salat, then went to sleep, would my wudu be valid when I wake up for Fajr Salat? My confusion comes from not knowing whether I have blown wind during my sleep. And if the wudu is invalid after such a sleep, is it also necessary to clean the private parts? Along with this, can you explain in depth what exactly the following action that invalidates wudu means: ”the sleep of one whose rear is not firmly seated”
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
Shaykh Faraz mentions in his book “The Absolute Essentials of Islam,” that ritual ablution is nullified by sleeping lying down or reclining on one’s side. He adds, “if one sleeps with one’s rear firmly seated, one’s ritual ablution is not invalidated.”
No, one is not supposed to clean the private parts. Gas that is passed during sleep or when awake does not make ones private parts filthy.
It means, the sleep of one whose back private part is not firmly on the ground. So if one sleeps lying down on one’s back or stomach, reclining, or one’s side, one’s wudu would be nullified. If one sleep sitting on the ground, or on a chair with one’s rear firmly seated, one’s wudu would remain valid.
No. Imam al-Haskafi in al-Durr al-Mukhtar defines istinja (cleaning one’s private parts) as: “the removal of filth from the private parts. For this reason, it is not sunna to clean one’s private parts from gas, stones, sleep, etc.” Scholars mention that doing istinja after passing wind is an innovation.
And Allah knows best
Fadi Qutub