The majority of ulama, including the Syafi’i school, state that sleeping all day does not invalidate the Ramadan fast as long as the intention is made at night. This view is based on Imam an-Nawawi’s explanation in a fiqh book. However, excessive sleep is advised against to avoid neglecting religious duties.
The month of Ramadan often alters Muslims' eating and sleeping patterns, leading to daytime fatigue. Many choose to sleep longer to combat this lethargy. However, a common question arises: does sleeping the entire day invalidate the fast?
Sleep is a biological necessity beneficial for health, such as body recovery and immune strengthening. In Islam, excess in any form is discouraged, including sleep that causes neglect of duties. To address this, references are drawn from ulama opinions and fiqh books.
According to NU Online, the majority of ulama hold that the fast remains valid if one sleeps from dawn until sunset, provided the intention for fasting is made at night. This is explained by Imam an-Nawawi in al-Majmu’ Syarah al-Muhadzdzab (6/384): "إِذَا نَامَ جَمِيعَ النَّهَارِ وَكَانَ قَدْ نَوَى مِنَ اللَّيْلِ صَحَّ صَوْمُهُ عَلَي الْمَذْهَبِ وِبِهِ قَالَ الْجُمْهُورُ". Translation: If a fasting person sleeps the entire day but intended to fast at night, their fast is valid according to the Syafi’i school, and this is the view of the majority of ulama.
A minority view from Abu Thayyib bin Salamah, Abu Said Al-Ishthakhriy, and Ibnu Suraij states otherwise, that the fast is invalid. However, the majority opinion is stronger, supported by evidence from the Qur’an.
Imam an-Nawawi also notes ulama consensus that if one wakes even briefly during the day, the fast is valid. This explanation, summarized from NU Online on Saturday, February 21, 2026, emphasizes maintaining the fast's value as worship without negligence.
