Does Wudhu become invalid due to drowsiness?

Question:

Does your Wudhu become invalid if you keep dozing on and off? So, you’re opening your eyes every few seconds or minutes?

Answer:

الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب

• Light drowsiness, due to which a person does not become totally unaware of his surroundings and what is being said around him, does not invalidate Wudhu. However, heavy drowsiness invalidates it.
• Therefore, if you remain aware of what is going around you whilst dozing, and can hear most of what is being said around you, your Wudhu will not become invalid; otherwise, it will.

Only Allah knows best.

Answered by:

Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham

6 Rabi‘ Al-Awwal 1446 AH/ 9 September 2024

Reference:

قال في مراقي الفلاح شرح نور الإيضاح: والنعاس الخفيف الذي يسمع به ما يقال عنده لا ينقض، وإلا فهو الثقيل ناقض

وقال في حاشية الطحطاوي: «قوله: (الذي يسمع به) الباء بمعنى مع، وقوله: ما يقال: أي أكثر ما يقال، قال في الخانية: «النعاس لا ينقض الوضوء وهو قليل نوم لا يشتبه عليه أكثر ما يقال ويجري عنده» اهـ (مراقي الفلاح مع حاشية الطحطاوي: 90، دار الكتب العلمية)