I'tikaf is not limited to the three mosques
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Fatwa number ( 16526 )
Q: We often hear people say: that i'tikaf in other than the three mosques is not permissible , citing in support of this the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (There is no i'tikaf except in the three mosques) and they say: that the hadith is specific and the verse is general, and the specific takes precedence over the general, but I have heard that our esteemed Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz has a different opinion, so I hope you will inform us of the evidence he used, may Allah expand our chests for the truth, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: I'tikaf is not limited to the three mosques, but it is prescribed in all mosques, and this is the view of the majority of scholars, both the Salaf and the Khalaf. However, it is better for it to be in a mosque where the congregation gathers, meaning where the Friday prayer is performed. The Muslims have continued to perform i'tikaf in all mosques and have not restricted it to one mosque over another; because Allah says:[Al-Baqarah 2:187] As for the hadith of Hudhayfah : (There is no i'tikaf except in the three mosques), it is not established. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We often hear people say: that i'tikaf in other than the three mosques is not permissible , citing in support of this the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (There is no i'tikaf except in the three mosques) and they say: that the hadith is specific and the verse is general, and the specific takes precedence over the general, but I have heard that our esteemed Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz has a different opinion, so I hope you will inform us of the evidence he used, may Allah expand our chests for the truth, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: I'tikaf is not limited to the three mosques, but it is prescribed in all mosques, and this is the view of the majority of scholars, both the Salaf and the Khalaf. However, it is better for it to be in a mosque where the congregation gathers, meaning where the Friday prayer is performed. The Muslims have continued to perform i'tikaf in all mosques and have not restricted it to one mosque over another; because Allah says:
And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques
وَلاَ تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.