Ruling on Women Performing Iʿtikaf at Home
📚 Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 154
Question
What is the ruling on women performing Iʿtikaf in their homes? The Mothers of the Believers (RA) performed Iʿtikaf in the masjids, not in their homes. In the present time, when arrangements for women’s Iʿtikaf in mosques are generally unavailable, can women perform Iʿtikaf at home?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Evidence from the Qur’an
“وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ“
(Surah al-Baqarah: 187)
This verse clearly indicates that the legislated place for Iʿtikaf is the masjid.
Sharʿi Position
According to my knowledge, there is no authentic hadith or report from the Companions or Tabiʿin that proves women performed Iʿtikaf in their homes.
Therefore, the stronger and correct opinion is that women should not perform Iʿtikaf at home.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
