while intoxicated, until you know what you are saying, nor while in a state of major ritual impurity—except when passing through.” [al-Nisa’ 4:43] That is: Do not approach it while in a state of major ritual impurity, except when passing through.
It does not mean, “Do not pray except when passing through,” for one who is passing through does not pray. Rather, it is a prohibition against approaching the places of prayer—namely, the mosques. Thus, if he passes through the mosque, there is no harm; but he may not remain in it.
- The mosques are the houses of Allah, the Exalted, the places where He is remembered and worshipped, and the abode of His angels. If one who has eaten onions or other offensive-smelling things is prevented from remaining in the mosque, then one in a state of major ritual impurity, for whom prayer is forbidden, has even greater reason to be prevented—especially since the angels do not enter a house in which there is a person in a state of major ritual impurity. They are harmed by being prevented from entering this mosque.
His statement, “when there is a need”: needs vary. A person may wish to enter through one door and leave through another so that he will not be seen. He may do so because it is a shorter route for him. Or he may pass through it to see whether there is someone in need, whom he can give shelter to or charity; or whether there is a circle of knowledge there, so that he may perform ghusl and then return to it.
By saying, “when there is a need,” the author, may Allah have mercy on him, indicates that he may not pass through it without a need.
The apparent meaning of the noble verse—“except when passing through”—is general: he may pass through it whether there is a need or not. This is the position of the madhhab (1). However, Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, disliked that a mosque be used as a thoroughfare except when there is a need. This view has some basis, for the Prophet ﷺ stated that these mosques were built for remembrance of Allah, prayer, and recitation (2)