Is the mosque library adjacent to it considered part of the mosque, and is it permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in it?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : If it is the custom of the people that the mosque library is part of the mosque adjacent to the mosque, is it permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in it?
The Shaykh : If the mosque wall has enclosed it, and it is cut off from it, then it is part of it. But if the wall has not enclosed it, then it is not part of the mosque.
And this is based on the fact that if we say it is part of the mosque, then it is permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in it, and that if one enters it, he should not sit until he prays two rak'ahs (units of prayer), and that he should not sit in it while in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity) except with wudu' (the ablution for prayer), and that a menstruating woman should not remain in it.
The questioner : Can I enter it to take a book to benefit from it in seeking knowledge?
The Shaykh : Yes, even if you are in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity), because you are passing by, and Allah says:[An-Nisa 4:43].
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : If the mosque wall has enclosed it, and it is cut off from it, then it is part of it. But if the wall has not enclosed it, then it is not part of the mosque.
And this is based on the fact that if we say it is part of the mosque, then it is permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in it, and that if one enters it, he should not sit until he prays two rak'ahs (units of prayer), and that he should not sit in it while in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity) except with wudu' (the ablution for prayer), and that a menstruating woman should not remain in it.
The questioner : Can I enter it to take a book to benefit from it in seeking knowledge?
The Shaykh : Yes, even if you are in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity), because you are passing by, and Allah says:
or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer]
وَلا جُنُباً إِلَّا عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes.