be aware of himself, while the hadith of Safwan is understood to refer to the case where, were he to pass wind, he would not be aware of himself.

This reconciliation is supported by the reported hadith: “The eye is the tie of the anus; when the two eyes sleep, the tie is loosened” (1). Thus, if a person has not secured his tie such that, were he to pass wind, he would not be aware of himself, then his sleep invalidates his ablution; otherwise, it does not.

His statement, “except for a brief sleep while sitting or standing,” is an exception to the author’s statement, “loss of consciousness.” What is excluded by “brief” is prolonged sleep, and what is excluded by his words “while standing or sitting” is every other position. Thus, sleep in any position other than these two invalidates ablution without qualification.

Accordingly, prolonged sleep invalidates ablution in all cases, and brief sleep likewise invalidates it, except when one is standing or sitting.

Whether sleep is brief is determined by customary usage. At times, it is brief in duration.