The Ruling on I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in Other Than the Three Mosques

Question:
May Allah bless you. The questioner asks: Is it obligatory to stay in the mosque at night for i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque)? And is i'tikaf obligatory in the two Sacred Mosques, or is it permissible in any mosque? We ask for an explanation of this, and may you be rewarded.

Answer:
It is prescribed to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in any mosque where the congregational prayer is performed, in the mosques of the earth, and praise be to Allah. However, if it is in al-Masjid al-Haram or the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him) or al-Masjid al-Aqsa, it is better. The three mosques are better than the other mosques. So if one performs i'tikaf in one of them, it is better. Otherwise, his i'tikaf in any of the Muslims' mosques where the congregational prayer is performed achieves the objective, and praise be to Allah. Allah the Exalted and Glorious said: This is general for all mosques. Yes.