What is the ruling on the one in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) leaving to bring food for those breaking their fast?

The questioner : The questioner says: We are a group of young men in i'tikaf in this blessed mosque. Usually, we go to the vegetable market and bring some fresh dates to give in charity to the Muslims so they can break their fast with them. Is this action valid, or should we stay in the mosque and not go out for food, drink, and necessary items?

The Shaykh : The one in i'tikaf is cut off from the enjoyments and desires, devoting himself to the worship of Allah the Exalted in one of the houses of Allah, as Allah the Exalted said: However, since eating and drinking are necessities for every living being, it is permissible for a person to eat and drink while in i'tikaf. It is also permissible for him to leave the mosque to obtain food and drink, whether he goes to his home to eat and drink there, or goes to his home to bring food and drink to the mosque, or goes to the market to bring food and drink to the mosque. All of this is permissible because it is a necessity. The questioner says, "We go to the vegetables," and it appears he means that some of them go, not all of them. If they appoint a specific person or take turns leaving the mosque to bring them food, drink, and what they need, there is no harm in that. As for the fact that this food or drink they take is intended for people to break their fast with, it is not permissible for them to take it to have their pre-dawn meal (suhur) or dinner with, because the one who designated it did so specifically for breaking the fast , and it is not like one who breaks the fast of a fasting person. Therefore, we say that if you take it only for breaking the fast, there is no harm. But if you take it for breaking the fast, lunch, dinner, and suhur, this is not permissible because it is designated specifically for breaking the fast. However, there is some hesitation in the mind regarding taking what is prepared for breaking the fast in one place and moving it, because it could be said that there is no harm in breaking your fast with it in its place, but you should not move it. So, what I advise these brothers is to bring food and drink other than what was allocated for those breaking their fast. Did you give us a sticker? Yes, here it is. Yes, do we have a precedent for that? This does not need a precedent; no one says that. I mean, no one says that the meaning of the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is that the meaning is the shadow of Allah Himself. No one has said this, and it is clear that it does not need to be questioned.