Issue: It is prescribed to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in any mosque in congregation, and it is not restricted to the three mosques.
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The Shaykh : All right. Does i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) take place in every mosque, even a woman's mosque in her home?
Answer: No, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) does not take place except in a mosque where the congregation is held. As for the mosque in the house, it is a prayer place, not a mosque. So if a woman performs i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque of her home that she has enclosed for herself, her i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not valid, and it is not prescribed. Because Allah says[Al-Baqarah 2:187], so Allah restricted i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) to what?
The students: In the mosques.
The Shaykh : In the mosques, so i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not valid in other than the mosques.
But does i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) become valid in every mosque in the world?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : Answer: Yes, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is valid in every mosque in the world, by His saying, the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:187], and this is general, and the verse is in the context of the verses of fasting with which people are addressed in all parts of the world. Let us listen to the verse; Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Baqarah 2:187]. Who is addressed by this? Specific people or all the believers?
The students: All the believers.
The Shaykh : The one addressed by that is all the believers in all parts of the world. Then He said:[Al-Baqarah 2:187]. Who is addressed in His saying:
The students: All the believers.
The Shaykh : All the believers, everyone to whom the address of fasting was directed, has also been directed the address in His saying:[Al-Baqarah 2:187]. So the verse is one, the context is one, and the address is one, and it is not possible for us to isolate part of the address in a ruling without the other, because if we did that, we would have divided the Qur'an, except if a valid proof indicates the distinction, in which case it is obligatory to follow the proof. Like His saying, the Exalted: [An-Nahl 16:8]
So if someone says: What do you say about what is narrated in the hadith of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:, what do you say about this hadith?
So the answer is: This hadith was not narrated by anyone from the owners of the famous books of the Sunnah, like al-Bukhari and Muslim and others. It was narrated by al-Bayhaqi, who is from the owners of the famous Sunan, and yet the hadith is strange (gharib). Strange means that one person narrated it alone, and the strange narrations are those from which the imams of hadith warned. The meaning of "warned from them" is that they say that strange hadiths are such that a person should be careful in them, because most strange narrations are weak. And this hadith is among them, so it is weak except by a proof that testifies to it and places it in the rank of authentic or good.
So if someone says: The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):Sahih al-Bukhari 1 is among the strange hadiths, and you authenticate it, so why do you criticize the hadith of Hudhayfah with strangeness, and not criticize the hadith of 'Umar with strangeness? So what is the answer?
Answer: The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab was extracted by the imams, the imams of the Muslims and the preservers of hadith, and the Ummah received it with acceptance, and the texts of the Book and the Sunnah testified to it. And such a thing must be authentic. How many are the Qur'anic texts in which seeking the Face of Allah, or seeking the pleasure of Allah, is mentioned, meaning they seek a favor from Allah, meaning how many are the rawatib (regular voluntary prayers) in which the focus is on what? On the intention. And likewise the hadiths, as in the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him):Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1646Sahih (Darussalam), and the Ummah received it with acceptance and relied on it, and built upon it the principles of Islam.
But this hadith of Hudhayfah is the opposite of that; the Ummah did not receive it with acceptance, and therefore the imams of the Muslims did not act upon it. So the imams of the Muslims, like Malik, al-Shafi'i, Abu Hanifah, and Ahmad, all agreed that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not restricted to the three mosques, but it is general in all the mosques. And likewise, the imams of hadith did not agree to extract it, even though they are eager, with all eagerness, to extract every hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
And we also say: The first one to point out its defect was a noble Companion. Who is he? 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. For Hudhayfah came to him and said to him: A group of people performed i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) between your house and the house of Abu Musa, meaning in Kufa, and not in the three mosques. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 2473Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)? So 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said: .
So he pointed out the defect in the hadith, or pointed out the defect in the saying of Hudhayfah, with two things: The first thing: lack of precision, by his saying:.
The second: understanding. He said:.
And a person, without doubt, may memorize and forget, and without doubt, he may make a mistake and add to the understanding of the text. So he said:.
And the hadith has been narrated:, and perhaps Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) referred to this in his saying: .
And if we assume that this hadith is free from defects one hundred percent, it is to be understood as negating perfection, not negating validity. So the meaning of: is: There is no complete i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) except in these mosques, because these mosques, by the agreement of the Muslims and by the indication of the texts, are the most noble of the mosques, so i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in them is the best i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) and the most complete i'tikaf (spiritual retreat).
And I only pointed that out because some of the youth had a problem and hesitation regarding this hadith, and this is the tracing of this hadith, and you have understood from it, if Allah wills, a good understanding.
Answer: No, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) does not take place except in a mosque where the congregation is held. As for the mosque in the house, it is a prayer place, not a mosque. So if a woman performs i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque of her home that she has enclosed for herself, her i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not valid, and it is not prescribed. Because Allah says
And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
ولا تباشروهن وأنتم عاكفون في المساجدThe students: In the mosques.
The Shaykh : In the mosques, so i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not valid in other than the mosques.
But does i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) become valid in every mosque in the world?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : Answer: Yes, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is valid in every mosque in the world, by His saying, the Exalted:
as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
وأنتم عاكفون في المساجدSo now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset.
فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِThe students: All the believers.
The Shaykh : The one addressed by that is all the believers in all parts of the world. Then He said:
And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِAnd do not have intercourse with them.
ولا تباشروهنThe students: All the believers.
The Shaykh : All the believers, everyone to whom the address of fasting was directed, has also been directed the address in His saying:
And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them
فلا تباشروهن وأنتم عاكفون في المساجد تلك حدود الله فلا تقربوهاAnd [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment
والخيل والبغال والحمير لتركبوها وزينةSo if someone says: What do you say about what is narrated in the hadith of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
There is no i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) except in the three mosques, which are al-Masjid al-Haram, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and al-Masjid al-Aqsa
لا اعتكاف إلا في المساجد الثلاثة وهي المسجد الحرام ومسجد المدينة والمسجد الأقصىSo the answer is: This hadith was not narrated by anyone from the owners of the famous books of the Sunnah, like al-Bukhari and Muslim and others. It was narrated by al-Bayhaqi, who is from the owners of the famous Sunan, and yet the hadith is strange (gharib). Strange means that one person narrated it alone, and the strange narrations are those from which the imams of hadith warned. The meaning of "warned from them" is that they say that strange hadiths are such that a person should be careful in them, because most strange narrations are weak. And this hadith is among them, so it is weak except by a proof that testifies to it and places it in the rank of authentic or good.
So if someone says: The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوىAnswer: The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab was extracted by the imams, the imams of the Muslims and the preservers of hadith, and the Ummah received it with acceptance, and the texts of the Book and the Sunnah testified to it. And such a thing must be authentic. How many are the Qur'anic texts in which seeking the Face of Allah, or seeking the pleasure of Allah, is mentioned, meaning they seek a favor from Allah, meaning how many are the rawatib (regular voluntary prayers) in which the focus is on what? On the intention. And likewise the hadiths, as in the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever fought so that the Word of Allah is supreme, then he is in Allah's cause.
من قاتل لتكون كلمة الله هي العليا فهو في سبيل اللهBut this hadith of Hudhayfah is the opposite of that; the Ummah did not receive it with acceptance, and therefore the imams of the Muslims did not act upon it. So the imams of the Muslims, like Malik, al-Shafi'i, Abu Hanifah, and Ahmad, all agreed that i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is not restricted to the three mosques, but it is general in all the mosques. And likewise, the imams of hadith did not agree to extract it, even though they are eager, with all eagerness, to extract every hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
And we also say: The first one to point out its defect was a noble Companion. Who is he? 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. For Hudhayfah came to him and said to him: A group of people performed i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) between your house and the house of Abu Musa, meaning in Kufa, and not in the three mosques. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
there is no i'tikaf except in a congregational mosque.
لا اعتكاف إلا في المساجد الثلاثةPerhaps they preserved it and I forgot, and they were correct and I made a mistake
لعلهم حفظوا ونسيت، وأصابوا وأخطاتSo he pointed out the defect in the hadith, or pointed out the defect in the saying of Hudhayfah, with two things: The first thing: lack of precision, by his saying:
Perhaps they preserved it and I forgot
لعلهم حفظوا ونسيتThe second: understanding. He said:
Perhaps they were correct and I made a mistake
لعلهم أصابوا وأخطاتAnd a person, without doubt, may memorize and forget, and without doubt, he may make a mistake and add to the understanding of the text. So he said:
Perhaps they preserved it and I forgot, or they were correct and I made a mistake
لعلهم حفظوا ونسيت أو أصابوا وأخطأتAnd the hadith has been narrated:
There is no i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) except in the three mosques or in a congregational mosque
لا اعتكاف إلا في المساجد الثلاثة أو مسجد جامعthey preserved it and I forgot
حفظوا ونسيتAnd if we assume that this hadith is free from defects one hundred percent, it is to be understood as negating perfection, not negating validity. So the meaning of:
There is no i'tikaf
لا اعتكافAnd I only pointed that out because some of the youth had a problem and hesitation regarding this hadith, and this is the tracing of this hadith, and you have understood from it, if Allah wills, a good understanding.