Does sleep-induced tardiness in prayer affect the validity of one’s fasting? – A Fatwa

The Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa was asked if a person missing a prayer on time affects the validity of their fast. The council replied that fasting individuals must perform prayers on time and not delay them, as stated in Surat Al-Baqara: Verse 238. However, if the delay is due to sleep, their fast is still valid. The council advises fasting individuals to ensure they have the means to perform their prayer on time for their reward to be complete.

The council was also asked about a woman in postpartum who becomes pure before completing sixty days. Should she stop praying and fasting, or continue? The council replied that the postpartum bleeding period is sixty days, and if bleeding stops during this time, the woman can wash, pray, and fast. If bleeding resumes, she should stop praying and fasting until she completes sixty days, unless the interruption lasts fifteen days, in which it is considered a new menstruation.

Fasting fatwas
The Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa received a question about a person who slept and missed performing the prayer on time. Does this affect the validity of his fast? He said that the fasting person must maintain the performance of prayers on time and not delay them. For the Almighty says: (Preserve the prayers and the middle prayer, and stand obedient to God), “Surat Al-Baqara: Verse 238.” if the delay is due to sleep; His fast is valid, and the fasting person should be careful to take for himself the means that enable him to perform the prayer on time so that the reward for fasting and prayer is complete for him.

Women’s fatwas
The council also received a question, “If a woman is in postpartum, then becomes purified before she completes sixty days, should she stop praying and fasting, or should she continue?”
The council replied that “the period of postpartum bleeding is sixty days, and if the bleeding stops during it; The woman is pure, so she washes, prays and fasts. If the blood returns to her, she leaves prayer and fasting, and so on, until she completes sixty days, unless the period of interruption was fifteen days, in which case it is a new menstruation.



In summary, the Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa has provided insightful responses to two important questions related to fasting and women’s postpartum periods. The council emphasizes the importance of maintaining the performance of prayers on time while fasting and provides guidance for women who have undergone postpartum bleeding. These fatwas serve as helpful guidance for Muslims seeking to ensure their religious practices are carried out correctly.

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