Ruling on Delaying the Fajr Prayer Due to Overwhelming Sleep Without Intention
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Question:
What is the ruling on one who delays the Fajr prayer until after the sun has risen, and this happens repeatedly, not out of intention or negligence, but due to the power of sleep? Does he commit a sin in that, knowing that he is consistent with the remaining prayers in the mosque?
Answer:
The Shaykh: He must take the necessary measures and fear Allah: by setting an alarm clock that helps him know the time, setting it for the time of Fajr so he hears the alert, or by having his family wake him up and emphasizing this to them. He should not stay up late. If he takes these measures and sleep overcomes him, he owes nothing.
It is established regarding him (peace and blessings be upon him) that they stopped at a place during one of their journeys in the middle of the night, and sleep overcame them, to the extent that they did not wake up until the heat of the sun. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was among them. He stood up and ordered the adhan to be called. They moved from their place, performed wudu, and he prayed the regular voluntary prayer (sunnah rawatib), then led the people in prayer. Even though he had ordered Bilal to watch for the dawn and be mindful of the dawn, Bilal also slept with them as they slept, and sleep overcame him.
So if a person takes the necessary measures, strives, and sleep overcomes him, he owes nothing.
As for a person who does not set an alarm, does not get up early, and says, "Sleep overcame me," he is a liar. This is one who intentionally sleeps through the prayer. He is sinful. He stays up late and wants to sleep at all costs, then does not set the alarm for the time of prayer. This is intentional, and he is judged as one who did it intentionally.
What is the ruling on one who delays the Fajr prayer until after the sun has risen, and this happens repeatedly, not out of intention or negligence, but due to the power of sleep? Does he commit a sin in that, knowing that he is consistent with the remaining prayers in the mosque?
Answer:
The Shaykh: He must take the necessary measures and fear Allah: by setting an alarm clock that helps him know the time, setting it for the time of Fajr so he hears the alert, or by having his family wake him up and emphasizing this to them. He should not stay up late. If he takes these measures and sleep overcomes him, he owes nothing.
It is established regarding him (peace and blessings be upon him) that they stopped at a place during one of their journeys in the middle of the night, and sleep overcame them, to the extent that they did not wake up until the heat of the sun. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was among them. He stood up and ordered the adhan to be called. They moved from their place, performed wudu, and he prayed the regular voluntary prayer (sunnah rawatib), then led the people in prayer. Even though he had ordered Bilal to watch for the dawn and be mindful of the dawn, Bilal also slept with them as they slept, and sleep overcame him.
So if a person takes the necessary measures, strives, and sleep overcomes him, he owes nothing.
As for a person who does not set an alarm, does not get up early, and says, "Sleep overcame me," he is a liar. This is one who intentionally sleeps through the prayer. He is sinful. He stays up late and wants to sleep at all costs, then does not set the alarm for the time of prayer. This is intentional, and he is judged as one who did it intentionally.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.