Question:
In which type of mosque is i‘tikāf valid, and in which is it not?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Answer:
I‘tikāf (spiritual retreat) is valid only in a mosque where congregational prayers (ṣalāh with jamā‘ah) are regularly established.
❀ Allah Almighty says:
Arabic:
وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
(Al-Baqarah: 187)
Translation:
“And do not have relations with them while you are in i‘tikāf in the mosques.”
❀ Imām al-Zuhrī رحمه الله said:
Arabic:
لا اعتكاف إلا في مسجد جماعة، يجمع فيه
Translation:
“There is no i‘tikāf except in a mosque where congregational prayer is held.”
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 3/90 – chain authentic)
Summary:
I‘tikāf is permissible in any mosque where the five daily congregational prayers are established.
It is not valid in a place where jamā‘ah (congregation) is not performed.
In which type of mosque is i‘tikāf valid, and in which is it not?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Answer:
I‘tikāf (spiritual retreat) is valid only in a mosque where congregational prayers (ṣalāh with jamā‘ah) are regularly established.
❀ Allah Almighty says:
Arabic:
وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
(Al-Baqarah: 187)Translation:
“And do not have relations with them while you are in i‘tikāf in the mosques.”
❀ Imām al-Zuhrī رحمه الله said:
Arabic:
لا اعتكاف إلا في مسجد جماعة، يجمع فيه
Translation:
“There is no i‘tikāf except in a mosque where congregational prayer is held.”
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 3/90 – chain authentic)Summary:
I‘tikāf is permissible in any mosque where the five daily congregational prayers are established.
It is not valid in a place where jamā‘ah (congregation) is not performed.
