If the person in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) goes out to the place of relief to relieve himself, and then decides to take a full ritual bath, does this invalidate the i'tikaf?
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The questioner : The questioner says, and the truth is, these are many questions.
The Shaykh : He says, and the truth is, and you are saying.
The questioner : The truth is, this question is repeated; for example, someone asks: If the person in i'tikaf goes out to the place of relief to relieve himself, and the act of relieving himself involves the intention, and then he takes a shower, does this action break the i'tikaf? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Regarding i'tikaf, it was mentioned to us in a previous lesson that the exit of the person in i'tikaf is divided into six categories.
The questioner : Three categories.
The Shaykh : Three categories. All right, there is an exit that is permissible without a condition, an exit that is not permissible even with a condition, and an exit that is permissible with a condition. So, taking a shower is undoubtedly something a person can do without, as he can live without a shower. Relieving oneself is undoubtedly something a person must do, is that not so? So, if he goes out for what is necessary, which is relieving himself, he should not take a shower, unless the shower is a small part in the same place. In that case, I hesitate regarding its ruling, meaning whether it invalidates the i'tikaf or not, because this is a minor action, and the person has already gone out for a matter. The safest course is not to do it. But if he goes out to take a full ritual bath, that is a matter of necessity.
The Shaykh : He says, and the truth is, and you are saying.
The questioner : The truth is, this question is repeated; for example, someone asks: If the person in i'tikaf goes out to the place of relief to relieve himself, and the act of relieving himself involves the intention, and then he takes a shower, does this action break the i'tikaf? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Regarding i'tikaf, it was mentioned to us in a previous lesson that the exit of the person in i'tikaf is divided into six categories.
The questioner : Three categories.
The Shaykh : Three categories. All right, there is an exit that is permissible without a condition, an exit that is not permissible even with a condition, and an exit that is permissible with a condition. So, taking a shower is undoubtedly something a person can do without, as he can live without a shower. Relieving oneself is undoubtedly something a person must do, is that not so? So, if he goes out for what is necessary, which is relieving himself, he should not take a shower, unless the shower is a small part in the same place. In that case, I hesitate regarding its ruling, meaning whether it invalidates the i'tikaf or not, because this is a minor action, and the person has already gone out for a matter. The safest course is not to do it. But if he goes out to take a full ritual bath, that is a matter of necessity.