Source: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
According to Islamic law, the proper place for observing I‘tikaf is exclusively within the mosque. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"While you are in retreat in the mosques."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)
This verse clearly establishes that the location for I‘tikaf must be the mosque. The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ confirms this, as he consistently performed I‘tikaf within the mosque.
In some mosques today, small rooms or chambers (hujrahs or kothrīs) are constructed. These may be within the mosque complex or adjacent to it. From a Shar‘i perspective, I‘tikaf must occur inside the main area of the mosque. If these rooms are within the physical boundaries and are considered an integral part of the mosque, then performing I‘tikaf in them is permissible. However, if they are located outside the mosque’s limits or detached from it, then I‘tikaf performed there is not valid.
① I‘tikaf must be performed within the mosque, as established clearly by the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
② If side rooms or chambers are within the mosque’s structure and considered part of it, I‘tikaf is valid there; otherwise, it is not.
❖ The Mosque as the Shar‘i Location for I‘tikaf
According to Islamic law, the proper place for observing I‘tikaf is exclusively within the mosque. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"While you are in retreat in the mosques."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)
This verse clearly establishes that the location for I‘tikaf must be the mosque. The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ confirms this, as he consistently performed I‘tikaf within the mosque.
❖ Performing I‘tikaf in Chambers or Side Rooms
In some mosques today, small rooms or chambers (hujrahs or kothrīs) are constructed. These may be within the mosque complex or adjacent to it. From a Shar‘i perspective, I‘tikaf must occur inside the main area of the mosque. If these rooms are within the physical boundaries and are considered an integral part of the mosque, then performing I‘tikaf in them is permissible. However, if they are located outside the mosque’s limits or detached from it, then I‘tikaf performed there is not valid.
✦ Summary
① I‘tikaf must be performed within the mosque, as established clearly by the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
② If side rooms or chambers are within the mosque’s structure and considered part of it, I‘tikaf is valid there; otherwise, it is not.
