Matters Which Permit And Do Not Permit Leaving The Masjid During I’tikaaf

Matters that Permit Leaving the Masjid during Sunnah Itikaaf

1. To perform Jumu’ah Salaah if Jumu’ah does not take place in the masjid of I’tikaf.
2. To give Adhan, if there is nobody to give the Adhan.
3. To perform Wudhu for such a worship that is not valid without it. If a person already has Wudhu, he is not allowed to leave to perform a fresh Wudhu.
4. To answer the call of nature.
5. To perform a Fardh Ghusl due to a wet dream. To leave the Masjid to perform a ghusl for cooling-off purposes or for Jumu’ah is not permitted.
6. To go and get food/drink, if there is nobody to assist.

Note: It is not permitted to bring or leave impure clothes (clothes with Najaasat- impurity) in the Masjid.

Note: When leaving for any of the above necessities, one is not allowed to linger around after the necessity is fulfilled, even for a moment. If one stops to talk or do anything the I’tikaf will become void. If a person talks whilst walking to the masjid, not stopping; it is permissible. Similarly, if there is queue, one is allowed to wait in the queue.

Matters that do not Permit a Person to Leave the Masjid in the State of I’tikaf

1. Illness or fear, if one becomes severely ill and it becomes necessary to leave for treatment, the I’tikaf will become void.
2. To visit the sick.
3. To attend Janazah Salaah.
4. To wash the hands, gargle, brush the teeth, etc. To go and fetch water for someone else.
5. To perform Wudhu for the intention of Tilawah.
6. To leave the masjid for anything else other than that which has been permitted above.