AZE.US
As Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan, questions often arise about daily routines during fasting hours – including whether spending most of the day asleep contradicts the spirit of the fast.
Azerbaijani theologian Tural Irfan addressed the issue in comments to local media, saying that while sleeping during the day does not invalidate the fast, it can diminish its spiritual meaning.
“Fasting is not only about refraining from food and drink. It is an act of obedience to God and a path toward moral and spiritual growth,” Irfan said. “If a person fasts but spends the entire day asleep, the fast may remain technically valid, but its deeper purpose is weakened.”
According to him, Ramadan is meant to encourage discipline, reflection and good deeds. Worship, charity and productive activity during the day are part of that balance. Nighttime, he noted, is traditionally associated with rest.
Irfan emphasized that Islam does not require hardship beyond one’s capacity. If health conditions or work responsibilities prevent someone from fasting, exemptions exist under religious law. Short rest periods during the day are also permissible.
“But turning Ramadan into a month of daytime sleep misses its virtue,” he added.
The discussion reflects a broader debate in Muslim communities about how to maintain both the physical and spiritual dimensions of fasting in modern life.