Itikaf FAQs (49/50)
Question
In the state of ie’tikaaf after eating sehri a mu’takif went out to gargle his mouth. At the particular time there was water in the masjid as well. He didn’t remember that there was water in the masjid nor did he remember that he was in ie’tikaaf. As soon as he gargled he immediately returned to his place in the masjid. In this condition is his ie’tikaaf valid or not? After eating sehri is gargling a natural need or not. If his ie’tikaaf broke does he have to make it up or not?
Answer
It is a shari need to gargle ones mouth after sehri.لما فيه من صيانة الصوم عن بقايا الطعام فى الفم. For this reason it is permissible for him to leave the masjid as long as there is no water in the masjid or it is not possible for one to gargle from the masjid. If there is water in the masjid and it is possible for him to gargle from the masjid, then if he leaves his nafil/sunnah ie’tikaaf it will end and ie’tikaaf e wajib (ie’tikaaf due to an oath) will be nullified. It is mentioned in maraqiyul falah فان خرج ساعة بلاعزر معتبر (فى عدم الفساد) فسد الواجب و انتهى به غيره اى غير الواجب و هو النفل اذ ليس له حد اه . Hence, leaving the masjid to gargle will be a valid excuse and the presence of water in the masjid invalidates this excuse if the mu’takif knows that there is water in the masjid. If the mu’takif is unaware of water being present in the masjid, then his coming out of the masjid doesn’t invalidate the ie’tikaaf if it is ie’tikaaf e nafil or sunnah. (144)
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