Erecting a Tent with Sheets for the Person in I'tikaaf and the Masnoon acts for the person in I'tikaaf

Q: It'kaaf-9: People sitting in I'tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhaan erect tents from sheets inside the Masjid. These sheets belong to the Masjid. Each tent also has a light bulb inside for the person. What is the ruling concerning using the Masjid's property and concerning those people in I'tikaaf who spend the day sleeping and the nights in conversation with each other?

Answer: It is Mustahab to erect tents for the people in I'tikaaf and there is also no harm in using the sheets that someone has left in the Masjid for the purpose. It will however not be appropriate to use sheets that have been purchased with the Masjid's funds. People should rather use their own sheets. While there is no harm in using the Masjid's lights during the hours it is usually used, it may not be used after these hours. The people in I'tikaaf should therefore contribute something towards the electricity so that the Masjid may have no claims against them.

While the people in I'tikaaf may engage in worldly talks when necessary. It is inappropriate for them to do so without necessity even though this may not be a sin. A Hadith states that when people engage in worldly conversations in the Masjid, the angels advise him saying, "Be silent, O friend of Allaah." If he does not stop, they address him saying, "Be silent, O he whom Allaah hates!" If he still does not stop, they say, "Be silent! May Allaah's curses be on you.

The people in I'tikaaf are there to attain Allaah's pleasure and to earn rewards. By engaging in worldly discussions, there are attaining only the curses of the angels rather than rewards. It is therefore best for them not to gather together, but to rather remain in their tents to individually engage in their salaah, Dhikr. Tilaawah and other acts of Ibaadah. They may sleep as is necessary. Acts that are not suitable outside the Masjid and for people who are not in I'tikaaf cannot at all be carried out by those in I'tikaaf . Majaalisul abraar advises people in I'tikaaf to recite the Qur'aan, the Ahadeeth, books of Deeni knowledge, the biography of Rasulullaah SAW. and the stories of the Ambiyaa ALY. and the pious saints. When futile talks are Makrooh for people not in I'tikaaf, how much more will it be for people in I'tikaaf in the Masjid? And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3