Putting Out the Mosque’s Lamp and Lighting Lamps Beyond Need

Question

What is the view regarding the following examples — which of them is correct and which is wrong: “increasing the lamp” (Urdu چراغ بڑھانا, a euphemism for putting out a lamp); putting out the lamp (Urdu گل کرنا); extinguishing the lamp by blowing; when putting out the lamp one should dip the wick into the oil; when oil is plentiful one should light the lamp in the mosque three times; and what of the habit of taking a handkerchief out of one’s pocket during prayer and wiping one’s nose?

Answer

“Increasing the lamp,” “putting it out” (گل کرنا) and “extinguishing it” (بجھانا) — all three ways are proper; when needed, putting it out by blowing is also proper; putting it out by dipping the wick is also proper. Lighting lamps in many places without need is not proper.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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