The Permissibility of Women Performing I'tikaf in Mosques

Question:
Your Eminence! This questioner, Umm Muhammad, actually wrote a set of questions in her own style. I understood from her question that she is saying: Regarding the woman—may your eminence guide us—is it permissible for her to perform i'tikaf other than in Ramadan and in Ramadan? And is the i'tikaf to be in the home or in the mosque? And which is better for the woman? And what are the conditions if the i'tikaf is in the home? And is it permissible for a woman to perform i'tikaf in al-Masjid al-Haram?

Answer:
I'tikaf is a recommended practice and an act of drawing near to Allah for both men and women. Its place is the mosques, as the Exalted said: [Surat al-Baqarah: 187]. Its place is not the homes. I'tikaf is to be in the mosques. So if she performs i'tikaf in a suitable place in the mosque, in a tent or in a room, and there is no danger to her, or she has someone with her to keep her company, then there is nothing wrong with it. But if there is danger or exposure to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), then no; she should remain in her home and not perform i'tikaf.
As for if it is possible to perform i'tikaf in a way that involves no danger and no fitnah, then there is nothing wrong with it. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed i'tikaf in the mosque during his lifetime (peace and blessings be upon him) and after his death; so there is nothing wrong with it. But on the condition that it does not expose her to harm or fitnah. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you.