Can We Pray After Wet Dreams? Find Out Here

Table of Contents

Introduction

Can We Pray After Wet Dreams? Hi readers! If you've already read the two articles I've written about wet dreams, you probably know the answer to the question above. As I explained earlier, one type of wet dream involves a Muslim releasing sperm. When sperm is released, a Muslim is considered to be in an impure state.

Why Is That?

The answer is quite clear: according to Islamic law, if a Muslim has emitted sperm, they are in a state of major impurity (janabah). Major impurity (like minor impurity) destroys a Muslim's purity.

In other words, if a Muslim has had a wet dream and released sperm, they must not pray before performing the Janabah bath (Ghusl). In Islamic jurisprudence, the Janabah bath is the primary way to purify oneself after the emission of sperm.

What Does Islam Say About Wet Dreams?

On one hand, prayers must be performed in a state of purity, and on the other hand, wet dreams that result in sperm release destroy a Muslim's purity. These two requirements are in direct conflict.

So, based on the brief explanation above, we know there are three reasons why we shouldn't pray immediately after a wet dream.

Reasons Why We Can't Pray After Wet Dreams

Let's take a closer look at the reasons why we cannot pray after experiencing a wet dream:

Wet Dreams Occur During Sleep

The first reason is clear: wet dreams occur when we are sleeping. Even if a wet dream doesn't result in sperm emission, sleep itself can cause the loss of purity in Islamic jurisprudence. We can find an explanation for this in the following hadith:

عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "الْعَيْنُ وِكَاءُ السَّهِ فَإِذَا نَامَتِ الْعَيْنَانِ اِسْتَطْلَقَ الْوِكَاءُ." رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالطَّبْرَانِيُّ وَزَادَ: "وَمَنْ نَامَ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ"

From Mu'awiyah radliyallahu anhu, he said: "The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'The eye is the rope of the anus. When the two eyes sleep, the rope comes loose.' This hadith was narrated by Ahmad and ath-Thabrani. He (ath-Thabrani) added, 'Whoever sleeps, let them perform wudu.'"

وَلِأَبِيْ دَاوُدَ عَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا: "أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَسْجُدُ وَيَنَامُ وَيَنْفُخُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي وَلَا يَتَوَضَّأُ." فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: "صَلَّيْتَ وَلَمْ تَتَوَضَّأْ وَنِمْتَ." فَقَالَ: "إِنَّ الْوُضُوءَ عَلَى مَنْ نَامَ مُضْطَجِعًا."

Abu Daud narrated from Ibn Abbas radliyallahu anhuma: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prostrated, slept, and yawned. Then, he stood up and prayed without performing ablution. I asked him, 'You prayed without wudu, although you slept?' He replied, 'Indeed, wudu is required only for those who sleep lying down.'"

Wet Dreams that Release Sperm Destroy Purity

All scholars of Islamic law agree that wet dreams resulting in sperm release cause a loss of purity. The best way to purify oneself is by performing the Janabah bath. The following hadith clarifies this:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: "قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "فِي الْمَرْأَةِ تَرَى فِي مَنَامِهَا مَا يَرَى الرَّجُلُ." قَالَ: "تَغْتَسِلْ." مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ. زَادَ مُسْلِمٌ: "فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ: وَهَلْ يَكُونُ هَذَا؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ, فَمِنْ أَيْنَ الشِّبْهُ."

From Anas radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'If a woman sees in her dream what a man sees, she must take a bath.' This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim. Muslim added, 'Um Salamah then asked, 'Can this happen?' He (Prophet Muhammad) replied, 'Yes. And where is the similarity in that?'"

عَنْ أَبِيْ سَعِيْدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: "قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلََّمَ: "الْمَاءُ بِالْمَاءِ." رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Abu Sa'id al-Khudri radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'Water comes from water.' This hadith was narrated by Muslim."

Prayers Must Be Performed in a Holy Condition

I won't go into much detail about the third reason. It is widely understood that prayers must be performed in a state of purity. Purity from both minor and major impurities (hadas) is a requirement for performing the prayer.

In conclusion, if you've had a wet dream and haven't performed the Janabah bath, you should not pray.

I hope this brief explanation clarifies whether we can pray after wet dreams. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

That's all for this article. May it be beneficial to you. Ameen!

See you in the next article!