Mutakif to go to the toilet and wudhu
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Itikaf means literally to retreat and Islamically means to enter the mosque with the intention of worship. (Raddul Muhtar p.428 v.3)
There are three types of Itikaf:
- Wajib: To vow or pledge to enter the mosque for the sake of Allah upon the fulfilment of some vow or wish. The least duration of wajib Itikaf is one day and night and it must be accompanied by a fast.
- Sunnat Muakkada: To reside the last ten days and nights of Ramadhan in the Mosque is Sunnat Muakkadah Al-Kifayah. If a person from the community fulfils it, the obligation from the entire community will be uplifted. If not, all will be sinful.
- Mustuhub or Nafl: This Itikaf can be done for any amount of time, even for a few minutes. Fasting is not a condition for this type of Itikaf. (Raddul Muhtar p.430-p.431 v.3)
Saaiduna Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Anahi Wasalam used to observe Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan. (Sahih Bukhari p.271 v.1)
As going to the toilet is a necessity, therefore, one would be allowed to leave the Masjid. A soon as he finishes he should return back to the Masjid. Moreover, it is also permissible to leave the Masjid for wudhu whether it is to read fardh or optional prayers or to read the Holy Qur’an. (Raddul Muhtar p. 435 v.3)
Similarily it is not permissible to leave the Masjid and go for the Friday ghusl. One is only allowed to leave the Masjid if it is only an obligatory bath. (Fatawa Rahimiyah p.40 v.5)
However, Mufti Rashid Ahmad Ludhyanwi (RA) has written that if a person is able to do ghusl in the amount of time he does wudu, it will be permissible for him to have the Friday ghusl. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.505 v.4)
With regards to your question on washing your hands for eating it is not permissible for the mutakif to leave the masjid to wash his hands for eating. One can ask someone to bring a bowl of water to wash his hands. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.502 v.4)
One final point is that as you are doing Nafl Itikaf, therefore if you were to leave the masjid for washing your hands or for a Friday ghusl, your Nafl Itikaf will finish. As soon as you finish what you were doing then return back to the Masjid and renew your intention again. (Fatawa Rahimiyah p.210 v.5)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
