❀ Shar‘i Legitimacy of Using Curtains or Tents for I‘tikaf in the Mosque ❀
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abd al-Salam (Hafizahullah)
Complete Clarification in Light of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Practice of the Companions
➊ Permission for Using Curtains: Evidences from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ﴾
(Surah al-Baqarah: 187)
Translation: “And do not approach your wives while you are in I‘tikaf in the mosques.”
This verse clearly indicates that the designated place for i‘tikaf is the mosque. It is necessary for a person observing i‘tikaf to observe the proper etiquette and boundaries of the mosque. Since privacy and seclusion are often needed during i‘tikaf, the use of a curtain or tent does not contradict the spirit of the Qur’an in any way.
➋ The Legitimacy of Curtains in Hadith
The practice of the Prophet ﷺ in i‘tikaf is itself a Sunnah, and his noble wives also adhered to this tradition.
❀ The Wives of the Prophet ﷺ Observing I‘tikaf
Sayyidah A’ishah (RA) said:
"The Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away. Then his wives also observed I‘tikaf after him."
(Bukhari: 2026, Muslim: 1172)
This narration proves that the Mothers of the Believers also observed i‘tikaf, which was customarily done in privacy—indicating the use of a curtain or tent.
❀ The Prophet ﷺ Set Up a Tent
Another narration states:
"The Prophet ﷺ once observed I‘tikaf in the mosque and he had set up a tent."
(Bukhari: 2034, Muslim: 1167)
This Hadith explicitly proves the permissibility of placing a curtain or tent during i‘tikaf, as the Prophet ﷺ himself did so.
➌ Practice of the Companions and Their Consensus
The use of curtains or tents for i‘tikaf was known and accepted during the time of the Companions as well.
❀ Statement of Sayyidah A’ishah (RA)
Sayyidah A’ishah (RA) said:
"The Prophet ﷺ intended to observe I‘tikaf and set up a curtain made of matting, then removed it. Later, he did observe I‘tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan."
(Bukhari: 2041, Muslim: 1172)
This shows that setting up a curtain was a recognized and accepted practice, and there was no objection to it.
❀ Tents of the Mothers of the Believers
It is also narrated:
"A’ishah, Hafsah, and Zaynab (RA) had their tents set up in the mosque."
(Bukhari: 2033)
This establishes that for the i‘tikaf of women, separate tents or curtains were arranged to ensure proper segregation and modesty.
➍ Conclusion
Using a curtain or tent in the mosque during i‘tikaf is completely permissible and established from the actions of the Prophet ﷺ, the Mothers of the Believers, and the noble Companions.
For women in particular, the need for modesty and protection from the gaze of unrelated men makes the use of a curtain even more essential and appropriate.
When there are many people observing i‘tikaf, plain and simple curtains can be used to ensure privacy, provided there is no element of extravagance or ostentation.
➎ Summary
➤ Using curtains or tents during i‘tikaf is proven from the Sunnah,
➤ It is supported by the practice of the Companions,
➤ It is especially important for women's privacy and safety,
➤ It is fully accommodated in Islamic law as long as it is free from ostentation or potential fitnah.
✦ Thus, setting up a curtain or tent for I‘tikaf in the mosque is a valid and established Shar‘i practice.
