During Ramadan, some fasting individuals spend their days sleeping, sometimes until sunset. This practice, often called a "marathon nap," raises a recurring question: does sleeping all day invalidate the fast? What is the Sharia's position on this? Oustaz Mass Diéye, a renowned preacher, sheds light on this issue.

The validity of fasting versus prolonged sleep

“If a person is fasting and chooses to sleep to avoid forbidden acts or to protect their fast, this does not invalidate their practice in any way. There is no incompatibility between fasting and sleeping, provided they wake up to perform their prayers at the prescribed times. Sleeping all day does not affect the validity of the fast. The essential thing is to fulfill religious obligations, especially the five daily prayers,” he explains confidently. According to the preacher, sleep in itself is not a reason to break the fast, as long as the pillars of a Muslim's daily life are maintained.

An invitation to more active devotion

However, Oustaz Mass Diéye urges the faithful not to simply sleep during this holy month. “Ramadan is a blessed month, a unique opportunity to increase acts of worship: voluntary prayers, reading the Quran, and supplications. Those fasting should take advantage of this time to draw closer to Allah, going beyond the minimum obligations,” he recommends. He thus encourages a necessary balance between physical rest and spiritual fervor, reminding them that every moment of Ramadan is an opportunity for grace to be seized.