Leaving the Musjid to Smoke while in I'tikaaf

Q: Is it permissible for a person sitting in sunnah i’tikaaf to leave the musjid to smoke?

A: One should not leave the musjid to smoke. If one leaves the musjid to smoke, his sunnah i'tikaaf will break. However, if one is addicted to smoking and cannot manage without it, then it will be permissible for such a person to leave the musjid to smoke and his sunnah i'tikaaf will not break. After smoking, he should wash his mouth and immediately return to the musjid.  

(وحرم عليه ) أي على المعتكف اعتكافا واجبا أما النفل فله الخروج لأنه منه له لا مبطل كما مر ( الخروج إلا لحاجة الإنسان ) طبيعية كبول وغائط وغسل لو احتلم ولا يمكنه الاغتسال في المسجد كذا في النهر (الدر المختار مع رد المحتار 2/444-445, الفتاوى الهندية 1/212)
 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)