Question
Is it permissible for a person to reserve a spot in the Masjid by placing an item e.g. itr etc. on a certain spot without him sitting there and without him waiting for the next salaah?
Answer
While sitting in the Masjid, if someone had to leave due to an emergency related to Salaah but will return immediately thereafter, he will be allowed to leave an item where he is seated to keep his spot. It will not be permissible for anyone to sit there unless there is no space else where or the person has not returned when Salaah begins. And if upon returning he happens to find someone sitting there, he can ask that person to move.
It will not be permissible for someone to leave an item to reserve the spot for Salaah if it is left before the time of Salaah or if it is left by someone who has gone to do something not pertaining to Salaah . If it is left for these reasons, it will be permissible for someone else to sit there.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
(حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي القلاح، ص ٦١٥)