not for eating nor for anything else. Abu 'Abd Allah ibn Hamid said: It is permissible for him to eat a small amount in his house, such as a morsel or two; however, as for all of his meals, that is not permitted. The Qadi said: It may be argued that he is permitted to eat in his house and to exit for it initially, because eating in the mosque is considered ignoble and a disregard for chivalry (muru'ah). Furthermore, he might wish to conceal the nature of his food from people, and there may be others in the mosque, causing him to feel ashamed to eat in their presence; and if he were to offer them food with him, it would not suffice for both. Our evidence is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not enter the house except for a human necessity, which is a metonymy for answering the call of nature. This is an exit for something indispensable, or remaining outside his place of I'tikaf for something he must do, thus it invalidates the I'tikaf, just like conversing with one's spouse. What the Qadi mentioned is not a valid excuse that permits remaining [outside] nor exiting [for that purpose]. If such were allowed, then exiting for sleep and similar matters would also be allowed.

Section: If he exits for a human necessity, and there is a facility near the mosque closer than his house that he does not feel embarrassed to enter, and it is possible for him to cleanse himself there, he is not permitted to proceed to his house, because he can satisfy that need elsewhere. But if he would feel embarrassed to enter it, or if it involves a disgrace for him, or contradicts his custom, or if it is impossible for him to cleanse himself there, he may proceed to his house, due to the hardship he would face in abandoning his chivalry (muru'ah). Likewise, if he has two houses, one closer than the other, and he can perform ablution in the closer one without harm, he may not proceed to the more distant one. And if his friend or someone else offers him water for ablution in his nearby house, he is not obliged to accept it, due to the hardship of abandoning his chivalry (muru'ah) and the embarrassment toward his friend. Al-Marwudhi said: I asked Abu 'Abd Allah whether I'tikaf in the Grand Mosque is more pleasing to you, or the mosque of the neighborhood? He said: The Grand Mosque. And he granted me a concession to observe I'tikaf in another. I said: Where do you see that I should observe I'tikaf, on this side or on that side? He said: On that side, as it is more suitable due to the water facility. I said: Then if someone observes I'tikaf on this side, do you think he should go out to the riverbank to prepare himself?