Quran
Hadith
Islamic Text
Women should perform Itikaaf at home, in their prayer area. Although a woman’s Itikaaf in the Masjid will be valid, it is best to perform it at home.
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، – زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ العَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
(Sayidah) Aishah, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet used to perform I’tikaaf in the Masjid during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah (Most High) decreed his ﷺ passing. Then his ﷺ wives used to practice I’tikaaf after him ﷺ. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2026).
Itikaaf is a virtuous deed for men and women. The difference between them is the place of Itikaaf. Men must perform Itikaaf in the Masjid. Otherwise, it will be invalid. However, women are permitted to perform Itikaaf at home. Rather it is superior for them to perform Itikaaf at home, in their prayer area.
وَقَدْ رَوَى الْحَسَنُ عَنْ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ رَحِمَهُمَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنَّهَا إذَا اعْتَكَفَتْ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْجَمَاعَةِ جَازَ ذَلِكَ، وَاعْتِكَافُهَا فِي مَسْجِدِ بَيْتِهَا أَفْضَلُ، وَهَذَا هُوَ الصَّحِيحُ؛ لِأَنَّ مَسْجِدَ الْجَمَاعَةِ يَدْخُلُهُ كُلُّ أَحَدٍ، وَهِيَ طُولُ النَّهَارِ لَا تَقْدِرُ أَنْ تَكُونَ مُسْتَتِرَةً وَيُخَافُ عَلَيْهَا الْفِتْنَةُ مِنْ الْفَسَقَةِ فَالْمَنْعُ لِهَذَا، وَهُوَ لَيْسَ لِمَعْنًى رَاجِعٍ إلَى عَيْنِ الِاعْتِكَافِ فَلَا يَمْنَعُ جَوَازَ الِاعْتِكَافِ. (المبسوط)
Indeed al-Hasan narrated from (Imam) Abi Hanifah, May Allah Most High have mercy upon them both, that if a woman performs Itikaaf in a Masjid then it is permitted. However, her Itikaaf in her home is superior. This is the sound opinion since anyone can enter the Masjid and she is not able to remain concealed for the entire day. Also Fitnah from the people of Fisq (depravity) is feared for her, so for this reason there is prevention (from her performing Itikaaf in the Masjid). Thus, the issue is not regarding Itikaaf itself (rather her being in the Masjid and being exposed to Fitnah). Therefore, it does not prevent the permissibility of Itikaaf. (Imam al-Sarakhsi, al-Mabsoot).
As seen in the Nass (text) above, a woman’s Itikaaf in the Masjid will be valid. However, it is best for her to perform it at home. Where at home? If she has an area within her house designated to prayer, then that is where she performs Itikaaf. If there is no such designated area, then she will establish it before beginning Itikaaf and then perform Itikaaf there.
And Allah Most High Knows Best.
-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (19.04.2022)
See also:
Why do people emphasise the last ten days of Ramadaan?
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