Itikaf FAQs (50/50)
Question
A mu’takif chooses a spot in the masjid, is he only supposed to stay in his spot or can he sleep, eat, recite the Quraan and perform salah in any other area of the masjid without any genuine need?
Answer
It is not necessary to stay in ones ie’tikaaf spot. It is better to stay there for nafil acts of worship and zikar. Apart from that one can go to any other area of the masjid at any given time.
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
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Source: Jamiatul Ulama KZN — https://jamiat.org.za/itikaf-qa-2/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/jamiat-16937-50
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What are the rules of i'tikaaf?
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