What is the ruling on the one in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) leaving for a dire necessity?
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Question:
He asks: Is it permissible for a person in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) to condition himself to leave the mosque? For example, he says, "I will leave on such-and-such a day to such-and-such a place and return to my i'tikaf." And is it valid for him to leave the mosque to attend lessons if the lessons are held outside the mosque?
Answer:
The person in i'tikaf may make a condition, but he does not verbalize it; he makes the condition by intention. He intends in his heart to leave on such-and-such a day, or to leave for such-and-such a need. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 1 So he makes the condition in his heart and intention without speaking it aloud. He has what he conditioned for; he may leave according to his condition.
As for leaving to attend lessons in a place other than the mosque where he is in i'tikaf, that is not appropriate, because this would cause him to lose his i'tikaf. He should remain in the mosque where he is in i'tikaf and not leave for the lessons. If he wants to attend lessons, he should perform i'tikaf in the mosque where the lessons are held, so that he can obtain both benefits: i'tikaf and attending the lessons.
He asks: Is it permissible for a person in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) to condition himself to leave the mosque? For example, he says, "I will leave on such-and-such a day to such-and-such a place and return to my i'tikaf." And is it valid for him to leave the mosque to attend lessons if the lessons are held outside the mosque?
Answer:
The person in i'tikaf may make a condition, but he does not verbalize it; he makes the condition by intention. He intends in his heart to leave on such-and-such a day, or to leave for such-and-such a need. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
انما الاعمال بالنيات وانما لكل امرئ ما نوىAs for leaving to attend lessons in a place other than the mosque where he is in i'tikaf, that is not appropriate, because this would cause him to lose his i'tikaf. He should remain in the mosque where he is in i'tikaf and not leave for the lessons. If he wants to attend lessons, he should perform i'tikaf in the mosque where the lessons are held, so that he can obtain both benefits: i'tikaf and attending the lessons.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما حكم خروج المعتكف للضرورة؟ — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.