Understanding the Boundaries of a Mosque : Essential Knowledge for Observing I’tikaf (Malfoozat of Shaykh al-Islam Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Many people do not understand the concept of the Hudood-e-Masjid (boundaries of the mosque), and as a result, their I’tikaf gets invalidated. It is important to properly understand what these boundaries mean. In common language, the entire area of the mosque is referred to as the mosque, but from a Shari’ah perspective, the entire area is not necessarily considered part of the mosque. Only that specific area is considered a mosque which has been declared as such and dedicated (waqf) for that purpose by the founder.

The distinction is that the land designated as a mosque for prayer is one thing, while an area set aside for the needs of the mosque is another. According to Shari’ah, only that portion of the building which has been declared a mosque by the founder, where no other activities besides prayer are intended, is considered a mosque.

In almost every mosque, there are additional sections, such as the ablution area, washrooms, bathroom, funeral prayer area, the imam’s room, storage areas, etc. These parts are not regarded as a mosque in Shari’ah. Therefore, entering these sections in a state of impurity (janabah) is permissible, whereas entering the main mosque area while in such a state is not allowed.

It is also important to note that an I’tikaf participant (mu’takif) is not permitted to enter these areas without a valid excuse. If a person in I’tikaf(Motakif) enters any of these areas, even for a brief moment, without a valid reason, their I’tikaf will be nullified.

In some mosques, the sections designated for mosque-related needs are clearly separated from the main mosque. However, in other mosques, these areas are connected to the main mosque in such a way that it is not easy for an ordinary person to tell the difference. In such cases, unless the founder or caretaker explicitly indicates which parts are not considered part of the mosque, it can be difficult to know. Therefore, anyone intending to perform I’tikaf in a mosque should first ask the mosque’s founder or caretaker for the exact boundaries of the mosque.

The mosque administration should also make efforts to display a clear diagram in the mosque outlining the mosque’s boundaries. If that is not possible, at least by the 20th day of Ramadan, when the participants of I’tikaf gather in the mosque, they should be informed verbally about the exact boundaries of the mosque.

This Malfooz is selected by Dr. Faisal Sahib.