The ruling on i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in months other than Ramadan
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Q564: The questioner asks: What is the ruling on i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in months other than Ramadan?
A564: I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is prescribed at all times, not limited to Ramadan. I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is performed in mosques. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:187]. Therefore, a person does not perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in his house, nor in a secluded place, like the Sufis do; this is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and is not permissible. This severs one from the congregational prayer and from the Friday prayer as well. One should perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in a mosque where the congregational prayer is performed, in order to maintain the congregational prayer with the Muslims, combining i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) with maintaining the congregational prayer.
A564: I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is prescribed at all times, not limited to Ramadan. I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is performed in mosques. Allah the Exalted said:
as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.