Permitted Actions During I’tikaaf

Q. On what grounds is a mu’takif allowed to come out of the mosque?

A. (1) For the toilet. (2) For fard bath. (3) To go out for the Jum’ah prayer at zawaal, or to reach the jaami’ mosque early enough to perform 4 rak’aat of sunnah before khutbah. (4) To come out beyond the area of the mosque to call the adhaan.

Q. How far is one allowed to go for the toilet?

A. It is right to go up to one’s own house at whatever distance it may be. If he has two houses, it is necessary to go to the closest one from the place of I’tikaaf.

Q. Is it right for the mu’takif to come out for the Janaazah prayers?

A. If he made niyyah at the beginning of I’tikaaf that he would go out for Janaazah prayers, then it is allowed. If he did not make this intention, then it is not allowed.

Q. What other things are allowed in I’tikaaf?

A. Eating, drinking, sleeping in the mosque, buying necessary items if unavailable inside the mosque, and marriage are all allowed.