If a person falls asleep in prostration during congregational prayer, does he have to renew his ablution?
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The questioner : If a person falls asleep in prostration during congregational prayer, does he have to renew his ablution?
The Shaykh : Sleep does not invalidate the ablution unless it is deep sleep such that if the person were to pass wind, he would not be aware of it. In that case, his ablution is invalidated. However, if he is unaware of the world but would be aware of himself if he were to pass wind, his ablution is not invalidated, whether he is in prayer or outside of prayer, and whether he is sitting or lying down. The whole criterion is the loss of sensation. Whenever the sensation is lost such that if he were to pass wind, he would not be aware of it, his ablution is invalidated. And if he has not lost the sensation such that if he were to pass wind, he would be aware of it, his ablution is not invalidated. This is the stronger opinion, which is supported by the evidence regarding the invalidation of ablution by sleep.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. This questioner says, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Sleep does not invalidate the ablution unless it is deep sleep such that if the person were to pass wind, he would not be aware of it. In that case, his ablution is invalidated. However, if he is unaware of the world but would be aware of himself if he were to pass wind, his ablution is not invalidated, whether he is in prayer or outside of prayer, and whether he is sitting or lying down. The whole criterion is the loss of sensation. Whenever the sensation is lost such that if he were to pass wind, he would not be aware of it, his ablution is invalidated. And if he has not lost the sensation such that if he were to pass wind, he would be aware of it, his ablution is not invalidated. This is the stronger opinion, which is supported by the evidence regarding the invalidation of ablution by sleep.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. This questioner says, O honorable Shaykh.