The Best Place for a Woman to Perform I'tikaf: The Sacred Mosque or Her Home

The questioner:
May Allah reward you and bless you. The questioner asks: What is better for a woman, to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the Sacred House of Allah, or to stay in her home?

The Shaykh:
Hmm?

The questioner:
What is better for a woman, to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the Sacred House of Allah, or to stay in her home?

The Shaykh:
The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform i'tikaf in the mosque. Tents were set up for them, and they would perform i'tikaf in the mosque. This indicates that her i'tikaf is in the mosque; in fact, i'tikaf is not valid except in a mosque. She does not perform i'tikaf in her home. Therefore, a condition for the validity of i'tikaf for both men and women is that it be in a mosque. If a man remains in the prayer area of his home, or a woman remains in her home, is this called i'tikaf in accordance with the Shari'ah?

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.