What is the Sunnah regarding i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for men and women, and what is derived from the previous hadith?
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The questioner : Perhaps... the hadith also contains a ruling that can be derived from it?
The Shaykh : The ruling establishes that... that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and its most excellent form is what is done in Ramadan, and its most excellent form is what is done in the last ten days of it. This is from one aspect. From another aspect, it hints that i'tikaf in the mosque is not something in which women share with men. This is clear if we remember that congregational prayer, which is obligatory upon the Muslim just as the prayer itself is obligatory, does not include women in this obligation of congregation.
Therefore, it is even more fitting that women do not share in the religious practice of i'tikaf in the mosques, especially if the i'tikaf is tainted by something of showing off (riya'), love of appearing, or jealousy, such that the motivation for i'tikaf in this case is not drawing near to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) tore down the tents that were set up in the Prophet's Mosque for some of his wives (peace and blessings be upon him). And in order to settle the matter, he also tore down his own tent (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he used to perform i'tikaf. This is what can be mentioned on the occasion of this authentic hadith.
The Shaykh : The ruling establishes that... that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and its most excellent form is what is done in Ramadan, and its most excellent form is what is done in the last ten days of it. This is from one aspect. From another aspect, it hints that i'tikaf in the mosque is not something in which women share with men. This is clear if we remember that congregational prayer, which is obligatory upon the Muslim just as the prayer itself is obligatory, does not include women in this obligation of congregation.
Therefore, it is even more fitting that women do not share in the religious practice of i'tikaf in the mosques, especially if the i'tikaf is tainted by something of showing off (riya'), love of appearing, or jealousy, such that the motivation for i'tikaf in this case is not drawing near to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) tore down the tents that were set up in the Prophet's Mosque for some of his wives (peace and blessings be upon him). And in order to settle the matter, he also tore down his own tent (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he used to perform i'tikaf. This is what can be mentioned on the occasion of this authentic hadith.