Leaving the Mosque to Perform Ghusl (Bath) on Friday During I`tikaf

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: If one is in Itikaf (sunnah or nafl) is it permissible to perform the Ghusl on Friday?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

Yes, it would be permitted to leave the mosque in order to have a quick bath (ghusl) for the Friday prayer provided that one was not in a state of ablution (wudu) beforehand. This would not be regarded as an undue delay. [Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

If, on the other hand, one was already in a state of ablution (wudu), it would not be regarded as a need, and therefore leaving the mosque would invalidate one’s i`tikaf. [ibid.]

This is in relation to the sunna i`tikaf. As for the voluntary i`tikaf, it would be permitted to leave at any time.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that one’s leaving the mosque is primarily to perform the ablution, and/or to use the washroom (for istinja’). One is not simply leaving to have a bath (ghusl). Thus, after leaving with the aforementioned intention, it would be permitted to have a bath (ghusl) if reasonably possible, and without undue delay.

This was confirmed by leading fatwa references and senior contemporary Hanafi scholars.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani