Is it permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other than the three mosques, and what is the evidence?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other than the three mosques, and what is the evidence?
The Shaykh : It is permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other than the three mosques. The three mosques are the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him), and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
And the evidence for this is the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:187].
This verse is an address to all Muslims.
If we were to say that it refers to the three mosques, then most Muslims would not be addressed by this verse, because most Muslims are outside Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.
Based on this, we say that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is permissible in all mosques, and if the hadith is authentic that it isSunan Abi Dawud 2473Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani).
If this is authentic, then it refers to the most complete and best i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque). There is no doubt that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the three mosques is better than in others, just as prayer in the three mosques is better than in others.
Prayer in the Sacred Mosque is worth a hundred thousand prayers, and prayer in the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him) is better than a thousand prayers in any other place except the Sacred Mosque, and prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque is worth five hundred prayers.
This applies to what a person does in the mosques, such as congregational prayer for the obligatory prayer, and the eclipse prayer, as well as the greeting of the mosque.
As for the rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) and voluntary prayers that are not restricted to the mosque, your prayer at home is better.
Therefore, we say in Mecca: Your rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) at home are better than performing them in the Sacred Mosque.
We say the same to those in Medina: Your rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) at home are better than performing them in the Prophet's Mosque, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said while in Medina:Bulugh al-Maram 2:313.
And he (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform voluntary prayers in his house.
As for tarawih (the Ramadan night prayer), it is among the prayers that are prescribed in the mosques, because congregation is prescribed for it there.
The Shaykh : It is permissible to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in other than the three mosques. The three mosques are the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him), and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
And the evidence for this is the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
ولا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِThis verse is an address to all Muslims.
If we were to say that it refers to the three mosques, then most Muslims would not be addressed by this verse, because most Muslims are outside Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.
Based on this, we say that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is permissible in all mosques, and if the hadith is authentic that it is
there is no i'tikaf except in a congregational mosque.
لا اعتكاف إلا في المساجد الثلاثةIf this is authentic, then it refers to the most complete and best i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque). There is no doubt that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the three mosques is better than in others, just as prayer in the three mosques is better than in others.
Prayer in the Sacred Mosque is worth a hundred thousand prayers, and prayer in the Prophet's Mosque (peace and blessings be upon him) is better than a thousand prayers in any other place except the Sacred Mosque, and prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque is worth five hundred prayers.
This applies to what a person does in the mosques, such as congregational prayer for the obligatory prayer, and the eclipse prayer, as well as the greeting of the mosque.
As for the rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) and voluntary prayers that are not restricted to the mosque, your prayer at home is better.
Therefore, we say in Mecca: Your rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) at home are better than performing them in the Sacred Mosque.
We say the same to those in Medina: Your rawatib (the regular voluntary prayers attached to the obligatory ones) at home are better than performing them in the Prophet's Mosque, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said while in Medina:
The most excellent prayer of a person is (that which he prays) in his house except that which is prescribed (the five congregational prayers).
أفضل صلاة المرء في بيته إلا المكتوبةAnd he (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform voluntary prayers in his house.
As for tarawih (the Ramadan night prayer), it is among the prayers that are prescribed in the mosques, because congregation is prescribed for it there.