If the person in i'tikaf goes to his family's house to change his clothes and perform ghusl, because entering the Sacred Mosque with clothes is not permitted, does this invalidate his i'tikaf?
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The questioner : The questioner says: If the person in i'tikaf goes to his family's house to change his clothes and perform ghusl, because they do not allow entering the Sacred Mosque with clothes, does this make him like one who has invalidated his i'tikaf?
The Shaykh : If this ghusl is obligatory, like a man who experiences a wet dream while in i'tikaf, then his going out is necessary, because his prayer is not valid without ghusl. Likewise, if he goes out to perform wudu', there is no harm in it, because it is necessary by the Shari'ah. As for changing clothes, if it is necessary, let him go out and change them, such as if they become impure; in that case, he must go out to change his clothes or wash them. But if changing clothes is only for the sake of adornment, then this is a matter where I say it is not necessary, or there is an alternative to it. Yes, there is an alternative to it. The soiling of clothes is something a person can remain in, and it does not harm him in any way, except if he stipulated at the beginning of his i'tikaf that if his clothes become soiled, he would go out to change them. It may be said that this stipulation is permissible, because changing clothes does not contradict i'tikaf, and it is intended by the person. If he stipulated it, there is no blame on him. One can cite as evidence for this the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Lubaybah bint al-Zubayr when she wanted to enter the state of ihram. She said, "O Messenger of Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, and I find myself ill." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:. The answer is now clear.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Ghusl for Friday prayer, according to the correct opinion, is necessary, because ghusl for Friday prayer is obligatory. If it is obligatory, then the person in i'tikaf must go out in order to perform ghusl. But if we say that ghusl for Friday prayer is a recommended practice, then there is an alternative to it. If he stipulated it, he goes out for it; if he did not stipulate it, he does not go out for it.
The Shaykh : If this ghusl is obligatory, like a man who experiences a wet dream while in i'tikaf, then his going out is necessary, because his prayer is not valid without ghusl. Likewise, if he goes out to perform wudu', there is no harm in it, because it is necessary by the Shari'ah. As for changing clothes, if it is necessary, let him go out and change them, such as if they become impure; in that case, he must go out to change his clothes or wash them. But if changing clothes is only for the sake of adornment, then this is a matter where I say it is not necessary, or there is an alternative to it. Yes, there is an alternative to it. The soiling of clothes is something a person can remain in, and it does not harm him in any way, except if he stipulated at the beginning of his i'tikaf that if his clothes become soiled, he would go out to change them. It may be said that this stipulation is permissible, because changing clothes does not contradict i'tikaf, and it is intended by the person. If he stipulated it, there is no blame on him. One can cite as evidence for this the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Lubaybah bint al-Zubayr when she wanted to enter the state of ihram. She said, "O Messenger of Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, and I find myself ill." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Perform Hajj, but stipulate that my place of standing is where I am detained, for you have upon your Lord what you have stipulated.
حجي واشترطي أن محلي حيث حبستني فإن لك على ربك ما استثنيتThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Ghusl for Friday prayer, according to the correct opinion, is necessary, because ghusl for Friday prayer is obligatory. If it is obligatory, then the person in i'tikaf must go out in order to perform ghusl. But if we say that ghusl for Friday prayer is a recommended practice, then there is an alternative to it. If he stipulated it, he goes out for it; if he did not stipulate it, he does not go out for it.