What is the ruling on citing the hadith “Do not travel except to” as evidence for the impermissibility of i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other than these three mosques?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some people cite the hadith “Do not travel except to” as evidence that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in Ramadan is not permissible in other than these three mosques. Is this correct?

Answer:
Yes. If a person travels for the purpose of performing i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in a mosque other than these three, then yes, that is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and is not permissible. However, there is nothing wrong with performing i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) without traveling in any of the mosques. Allah the Exalted said: This is a general statement; it is a general statement that one may perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in all mosques. But i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the three mosques is better than i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other mosques because of their virtue.
One does not travel for the sake of i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) except to the three mosques. As for other mosques, do not travel to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in them. Rather, perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in any mosque near you that does not require travel and hardship. Yes.