What is the ruling on remaining in the mosque for one in a state of major ritual impurity?

The questioner : What is the ruling on the presence of one in a state of major ritual impurity in the mosque?

The Shaykh : We do not find in the Book or the Sunnah anything that prevents him from remaining in the mosque.

The questioner Does he mean prayer by that, or what does he mean?

The Shaykh : No, the verse, as you know, its text is . There are two well-known interpretations of this verse among the scholars of exegesis: the first is "do not approach the prayer," and the second is "the places of prayer." It is known among the scholars that when the matter revolves around supplying a missing word or not, not supplying it is preferable. Therefore, here it does not obligate the exegete to supply a missing modifier and say , meaning the places of prayer. Why? If our Lord, Mighty and Majestic, had intended that, He would have clarified the matter and not confused the people, far be it from Him, Mighty and Majestic. First, this is the first reason that prevents supplying this word. Based on this stronger interpretation, , the following interpretation is built from the completion of the verse, where He, Mighty and Majestic, said: . This explanatory clause cannot be an explanation for approaching the mosques, but rather for the invalidity of the prayer. This confirms that the intended meaning of the prohibition is entering the prayer while intoxicated, , do not approach the prayer while you are in a state of major ritual impurity, except those passing by, except travelers performing dry ablution with clean earth, until you take a full ritual bath.