Unnecessary talking and wandering around during i’tikāf?
10 April 2025 · 12 Shawwāl 1446 AH
Question
In our masjid I have noticed that some people who stay for i’tikāf, spend their time unnecessarily talking and wandering around the building to smoke etc. Is this permissible for a person in i’tikāf?
– Karam Elahi (Reading, England)
Answer
I’tikāf is a special worship where a Muslim spends his time in extra worship, and dhikr (remembrance of Allāh) in the masjid, hence keeping away from worldly routines and activities. For such a person, wasting time on unnecessary activities while in i’tikāf would be wrong because these things will divert him from his main aim of worship. He should refrain from any such time-wasting activities. However, if necessary, one is allowed to talk with others within limits.
Reference / additional notes
Islāmic Verdicts (Fatāwā Ṣirāṭ-e-Mustaqīm) – Shaykh Mahmood Ahmed Mirpuri (1/186)
Translated by Mohammed Abdul Hadi al-Oomeri for Dārussalām