Itikaf FAQs (8/50)
Question
Zaid is addicted to cigarettes and he can’t do without them. The question is that can he smoke cigarettes outside the masjid or inside the masjid? No one else in our community is prepared to sit for ie’tikaaf apart from Zaid. In such a situation should he be allowed to sit for ietikaf or should the ie’tikaaf be left out? Please also mention what things fall under human needs. Please explain in detail.
Answer
The virtues of ie’tikaaf are numerous and so are its benefits. A lot of importance should be given to ie’tikaaf. When one goes out to answer the call of nature, then the need of smoking etc. may also be fulfilled after which the mouth should be thoroughly cleansed by doing wudu and miswak. Do not go into the masjid with foul smells of the mouth. (264)
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