Sharʿī Rulings on Veil, Ghusl, Haircutting, and Conversation During Iʿtikāf
Reference: Ahkam wa Masail, Fasting Issues, Vol. 1, Page 287
❖ Questions:
➊ Is it necessary for a man performing iʿtikāf to cover himself like women when leaving the tent? And can he perform ghusl (ritual bath) during iʿtikāf when ghusl is not obligatory?
➋ Can a person in iʿtikāf get a haircut/shave (ḥijāmah)?
➌ Can a person in iʿtikāf engage in conversation for mental relaxation? If yes, to what extent?
➍ Can a person in iʿtikāf give or take advice in religious and worldly matters?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
➊ Ruling on Veil and Ghusl During Iʿtikāf
◈ If the person in iʿtikāf is a man, he is not required to cover himself like women when leaving the tent.
◈ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would also leave his tent during iʿtikāf when needed, but there is no report of him covering himself like women.
◈ As for non-obligatory ghusl, one is not allowed to leave the mosque only for this purpose.
Ḥadīth Evidence:
ʿĀ’ishah (RA) said:
“While the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in iʿtikāf, he would put his head into my room, and I would wash it and comb it.”
(Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Iʿtikāf, Bāb al-Ḥā’iḍ Tarajjul Ra’s al-Muʿtakif)
This shows that leaving the mosque merely for a non-obligatory ghusl is not permissible.
➋ Ruling on Haircutting (Ḥijāmah)
◈ It is preferable to have a haircut or shaving done before beginning iʿtikāf so there is no need during it.
◈ If a special reason arises, it is permissible to do so during iʿtikāf, provided the mosque is not dirtied.
◈ However, if there is a Sharʿī necessity, such as cleaning pubic hair, one must leave the mosque for this.
➌ Ruling on Conversation During Iʿtikāf
◈ If the conversation is in line with the purpose of iʿtikāf and does not distract from worship, it is permissible.
◈ A person in iʿtikāf must, however, avoid anything that diverts him from the real purpose of devotion and turning to Allah.
◈ Hence, unnecessary talk and activities must be avoided.
➍ Ruling on Giving or Taking Advice
◈ A person in iʿtikāf may give or receive advice regarding both religious and worldly matters.
◈ The condition is that such discussions must not interfere with the core objective of iʿtikāf — worship, seclusion, and devotion to Allah.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb.
