Sleeping, Resting and Iʿtikaf in the Mosque

Question

(1) May one perform iʿtikaf (staying in the mosque with the intention of worship) upon entering the mosque, or not? (2) May a person of the locality or a traveller rest in the mosque, or not? Or jamaʿats (groups) often come — may they rest, or not?

Answer

The mosque is a place of prayer; it is not a place for sleeping and resting. For one who is a traveller from elsewhere, or who is in iʿtikaf, there is latitude. The jamaʿats are generally from elsewhere; or else, staying in the mosque at night, they are mostly occupied with tasbih and voluntary (nafl) prayers, and also rest for a while.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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