Question:-
I’d like to find out if a person wants to sit in Sunnah I’tikaaf but his company requires him to work remotely whilst in Itikaaf, will it be permissible for the person to work on his laptop whilst in I’tikaaf for a few hours on certain days?
Answer:-
It is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi to buy and sell or carry out business transactions in the Masjid during I’tikaaf without a valid reason. Yes, in the case of severe necessity such as there being no food in one’s house, and there is no one available to purchase the food, the transaction may be concluded in the Masjid, but the commodity of sale should not be brought into the Masjid. [Behishti Zewar Part 11, Pg.110] A Mu’takif is required to disassociate himself from the world and connect himself with Allah Ta’ala hence he shouldn’t be transacting in the Masjid. In conclusion, the person should not carry out employment duties whilst in I’tikaaf.
وخص المعتكف ( باكل وشرب وعقد احتاج إليه ) أو عياله فلو لتجارة كره ( كبيع ونكاح ورجعة … (وكره) أي تحريما لأنها محل إطلاقهم بحر (إحضار مبيع فيه) (الدر المختار ج٢ص٤٤٨)
( فلو لتجارة كره ) أي وإن لم يحضر السلعة واختاره قاضيخان ورجحه الزيلعي لأنه منقطع إلى الله تعالى فلا ينبغي له أن يشتغل بأمور الدنيا
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 17 Shabaan 1445 / 28 February 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb