I'tikaf-Only in Three Mosques or Any Mosque?
03/07/2019
I'tikaf is to stay in the mosque in seclusion and devoting oneself in worship and remembrance of Allah(Swt). I'tikaf in general is to stay for long days such as ten days inside the mosque and to go out when there is a necessity. There is no authentic evidence from the Quran or hadith stating what is the minimum or maximum time a person should stay in I'tikaf except the opinions of scholars. There is a debate as to which mosque you should observe I'tikaf and there is a hadith clearly stating that I'tikaf is allowed in only three mosques.
Hudayfah(Rali) said to Ibn Masud(Rali),
"I saw some people who were observing i’tikaaf between your house and the house of Abu Moosa (i.e., in the mosque) and I know that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no i’tikaaf except in the three mosques:al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah), al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Madeenah) and al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem)” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Masud said: Perhaps you forgot and they remembered, or you made a mistake and they were correct"
(Baihaqi-Graded Sahih by Sheikh Albani in Silsilat ul hadith as Saheeha)
The above hadith is clear that observing I'tikaf is only in the three mosques namely. Masjid ul Haram, masjid ul Aqsa and masjid ul Nabawi. What Abdulllah Ibn Masud(Rali) telling to Hudayfah(Rali) that he would have forgotten or made a mistake is just the assumption of Ibn Masud (Rali). In hadith science we should understand that there are two forms of narrations one which says, "Kaala Rasulullah" which means that the prophet(Sal) said and the other is "Alaa sunnati"(Such and such is a Sunnah) which means the opinion of someone else other than what the prophet (Sal) said or did like a Sahabi. What Ibn Masud (Rali) said was just his assumption but what is proven is that Hudayfah (Rali) did clearly say that the prophet(Sal) said that there is no I'tikaf except for three masjids.
There are several more hadiths which have alternative views let me explain them.
Hudayfah (Rali) said to Abdullah ibn Masud (Rali),
“Hudhaifah said to ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood: I have come to know that the Messenger of Allaah (Sal) said: ‘There is no ‘Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques.’” Or he said: “A congregational mosque.”
(Baihaqi,Ibn abi Shaybah,Tabarani and others)
This hadith is reliable in Marfu( hadith by a Sahabi who attributed it to the prophet(Sal)) form. First of all, the narrator was not sure whether Hudayfah (Rali) said three mosques or congregational mosques hence, it is doubtful what was said. This hadith although authentic does not prove that you can sit for I'tikaf other than the three mosque because that is doubtful.
Aisha (Rali) said,
“The Sunnah with regard to the one performing ‘Itikaaf is that he not visit a sick person nor witness a funeral, nor touch a woman, nor have intercourse with her, nor go outside (of the masjid) for a necessity except for those cases where it is absolutely necessary. There is no ‘Itikaaf except with fasting, and there is no ‘Itikaaf except in a congregational masjid.”
(Abu Dawud,Darqutni and others and was Graded Sahih by Aqil ibn Juraij and others)
This hadith of Aisha is used by some to argue that I'tikaf can be observed in any congregational mosque apart from the three masjids. This argument is wrong because what was narrated by Aisha(Rali) is only her opinion and she did not attribute it to the prophet(Sal) and this hadith is only the personal opinion of Aisha(Rali). For it to be a statement of the prophet (Sal), Aisha(Rali) would have said that the prophet(Sal) said. but it is only the personal opinion of Aisha(Rali) and you cannot blindly follow the Sahaba. What is established is to follow only the Sunnah of the prophet (Sal) and the rightly guided khalifs.
From the views of the Companions and the Salaf , there are two main views. One says there is no I'tikaf except for the three masjids mentioned in the hadith and the other is that you can sit in I'tikaf in any congregational Masjid. Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result"
(Al-Quran-4:59)
It is clear that the correct view is that you can only sit in I'tikaf only in three masjids and the opposite view has no basis whatsoever. We have to comply with what is proven from the sayings of the prophet (Sal) and not the opinions of a companion or a scholar. Sheikh Nasiruddin Albani said,
“Furthermore, I came upon an authentic hadeeth that clearly specifies the ‘masaajid’ mentioned in the previous ayah to mean the three masaajid: Masjid Al-Haraam, Masjid An-Nabawee and Masjid Al-Aqsaa. The hadeeth is: ‘There is no 'Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques.’ According to what I came across, those among the Salaf who held this opinion were Hudhaifah bin al-Yamaan, Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyib and 'Ataa. However, he ('Ataa) did not mention Masjid Al-Aqsaa. Others held the opinion that it was any congregating masjid (in which the Jumu'ah prayer is held), without restriction. And yet others disagreed saying it can even be done in the masjid of one's home. But there is no doubt that adhering to what complies with the hadeeth concerning it is what deserves to be followed. And Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, knows best.”
(Qiyamu Ramadan-Page-36)
Shiekh Albani himself said that adhering to what complies with the hadith is what that deserves to be followed and what complies with the hadith is that there is no I'tikaf except in three masjids. There are two things to understand and that is, generally I'tiqaf is sometimes staying for days in the mosques and you cannot do this in any mosques other than the three mosques which are the masjid Haram, masjid un nabawi and masdi ul Aqsa. Some Muslims foolishly stay in mosques other than the three mosques with the intention of sitiing for I'tikaf which is wrong and has no basis because I'tikaf is only in the three mosques. These Muslims, due to their ignorance and blind following, stay away from their wives and do not even come out of the mosques and say that they are observing I'tikaf. Let me point out some hadiths on how the prophet (Sal) observed I'tikaf.
Abdullah Ibn Umar(Rali) narrated,
"Allah's Apostle used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
"The Prophet used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him."
(Bukhari)
Abu said al Khudri(Rali) narrated,
"Allah's Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan and once he stayed in Itikaf till the night of the twenty-first and it was the night in the morning of which he used to come out of his Itikaf. The Prophet said, "Whoever was in Itikaf with me should stay in Itikaf for the last ten days, for I was informed (of the date) of the Night (of Qadr) but I have been caused to forget it. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water in the morning of that night. So, look for it in the last ten nights and in the odd ones of them." It rained that night and the roof of the mosque dribbled as it was made of leaf stalks of date-palms. I saw with my own eyes the mark of mud and water on the forehead of the Prophet (i.e. in the morning of the twenty-first)."
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
The Prophet used to (put) bend his head (out) to me while he was in Itikaf in the mosque during my monthly periods and I would comb and oil his hair.
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
"The Prophet intended to practice Itikaf and when he reached the place where he intended to perform Itikaf, he saw some tents, the tents of 'Aisha, Hafsa and Zainab. So, he said, "Do you consider that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?" And then he went away and did not perform Itikaf (in Ramadan) but performed it in the month of Shawwal for ten days."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Umar(Rali) narrated,
Umar asked the Prophet "I vowed in the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance to stay in Itikaf for one night in Al-Masjid al-Haram." The Prophet said to him, "Fulfill your vow."
(Bukhari)
From all these hadiths we an understand that I;tikaf has some rules and regulations and it is proven from the authentic hadiths that you cannot have your intention to stay in I'tikaf unless they are in the three mosques which are, masjid ul Haram,masjid ul Qsa ans masjid un Nabawi. It is unfortunate that many Muslim brothers and sisters observe I'tikaf in place like India,Malaysia,USA and elsewhere and this I'tikaf is not I'tikaf and goes against the hadith of the prophet(Sal) who said that there is no I'tikaf except for the three masjids. You can clearly stay in any masjid but not with the intention and hops of sitting for I'tikaf. Abu Hurayrah(Rali) narrated,
The prophet(Sal) said,
"The reward of the prayer offered by a person in congregation is twenty five times greater than that of the prayer offered in one's house or in the market (alone). And this is because if he performs ablution and does it perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and his one sin is taken off (crossed out) from his accounts (of deeds). When he offers his prayer, the angels keep on asking Allah's Blessings and Allah's forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla. They say, 'O Allah! Bestow Your blessings upon him, be Merciful and kind to him.' And one is regarded in prayer as long as one is waiting for the prayer."
(Bukhari)
In the above hadith, the prophet (Sal) said, "The angels keep on asking Allah's Blessings and Allah's forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla" proves that you can stay in any mosque with out the intention of sitting for I'tikaf and this statement was said generally by the prophet (Sal).
From all the evidence, it is clear that you cannot sit for I'tikaf except in three mosques but you can stay in any mosque with out the intention of sitting for I'tikaf. Allah(Swt) has made this religion very easy and let us not make it difficult by staying for days on end especially during Ramazan in any mosque as this rule of I'tikaf only applies to the three masjids which are masjid ul Haram,Masjid ul Aqsa, and Masjid un Nabawi.
I'tikaf is to stay in the mosque in seclusion and devoting oneself in worship and remembrance of Allah(Swt). I'tikaf in general is to stay for long days such as ten days inside the mosque and to go out when there is a necessity. There is no authentic evidence from the Quran or hadith stating what is the minimum or maximum time a person should stay in I'tikaf except the opinions of scholars. There is a debate as to which mosque you should observe I'tikaf and there is a hadith clearly stating that I'tikaf is allowed in only three mosques.
Hudayfah(Rali) said to Ibn Masud(Rali),
"I saw some people who were observing i’tikaaf between your house and the house of Abu Moosa (i.e., in the mosque) and I know that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no i’tikaaf except in the three mosques:al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah), al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Madeenah) and al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem)” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Masud said: Perhaps you forgot and they remembered, or you made a mistake and they were correct"
(Baihaqi-Graded Sahih by Sheikh Albani in Silsilat ul hadith as Saheeha)
The above hadith is clear that observing I'tikaf is only in the three mosques namely. Masjid ul Haram, masjid ul Aqsa and masjid ul Nabawi. What Abdulllah Ibn Masud(Rali) telling to Hudayfah(Rali) that he would have forgotten or made a mistake is just the assumption of Ibn Masud (Rali). In hadith science we should understand that there are two forms of narrations one which says, "Kaala Rasulullah" which means that the prophet(Sal) said and the other is "Alaa sunnati"(Such and such is a Sunnah) which means the opinion of someone else other than what the prophet (Sal) said or did like a Sahabi. What Ibn Masud (Rali) said was just his assumption but what is proven is that Hudayfah (Rali) did clearly say that the prophet(Sal) said that there is no I'tikaf except for three masjids.
There are several more hadiths which have alternative views let me explain them.
Hudayfah (Rali) said to Abdullah ibn Masud (Rali),
“Hudhaifah said to ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood: I have come to know that the Messenger of Allaah (Sal) said: ‘There is no ‘Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques.’” Or he said: “A congregational mosque.”
(Baihaqi,Ibn abi Shaybah,Tabarani and others)
This hadith is reliable in Marfu( hadith by a Sahabi who attributed it to the prophet(Sal)) form. First of all, the narrator was not sure whether Hudayfah (Rali) said three mosques or congregational mosques hence, it is doubtful what was said. This hadith although authentic does not prove that you can sit for I'tikaf other than the three mosque because that is doubtful.
Aisha (Rali) said,
“The Sunnah with regard to the one performing ‘Itikaaf is that he not visit a sick person nor witness a funeral, nor touch a woman, nor have intercourse with her, nor go outside (of the masjid) for a necessity except for those cases where it is absolutely necessary. There is no ‘Itikaaf except with fasting, and there is no ‘Itikaaf except in a congregational masjid.”
(Abu Dawud,Darqutni and others and was Graded Sahih by Aqil ibn Juraij and others)
This hadith of Aisha is used by some to argue that I'tikaf can be observed in any congregational mosque apart from the three masjids. This argument is wrong because what was narrated by Aisha(Rali) is only her opinion and she did not attribute it to the prophet(Sal) and this hadith is only the personal opinion of Aisha(Rali). For it to be a statement of the prophet (Sal), Aisha(Rali) would have said that the prophet(Sal) said. but it is only the personal opinion of Aisha(Rali) and you cannot blindly follow the Sahaba. What is established is to follow only the Sunnah of the prophet (Sal) and the rightly guided khalifs.
From the views of the Companions and the Salaf , there are two main views. One says there is no I'tikaf except for the three masjids mentioned in the hadith and the other is that you can sit in I'tikaf in any congregational Masjid. Allah(Swt) says in the Quran,
"And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result"
(Al-Quran-4:59)
It is clear that the correct view is that you can only sit in I'tikaf only in three masjids and the opposite view has no basis whatsoever. We have to comply with what is proven from the sayings of the prophet (Sal) and not the opinions of a companion or a scholar. Sheikh Nasiruddin Albani said,
“Furthermore, I came upon an authentic hadeeth that clearly specifies the ‘masaajid’ mentioned in the previous ayah to mean the three masaajid: Masjid Al-Haraam, Masjid An-Nabawee and Masjid Al-Aqsaa. The hadeeth is: ‘There is no 'Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques.’ According to what I came across, those among the Salaf who held this opinion were Hudhaifah bin al-Yamaan, Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyib and 'Ataa. However, he ('Ataa) did not mention Masjid Al-Aqsaa. Others held the opinion that it was any congregating masjid (in which the Jumu'ah prayer is held), without restriction. And yet others disagreed saying it can even be done in the masjid of one's home. But there is no doubt that adhering to what complies with the hadeeth concerning it is what deserves to be followed. And Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, knows best.”
(Qiyamu Ramadan-Page-36)
Shiekh Albani himself said that adhering to what complies with the hadith is what that deserves to be followed and what complies with the hadith is that there is no I'tikaf except in three masjids. There are two things to understand and that is, generally I'tiqaf is sometimes staying for days in the mosques and you cannot do this in any mosques other than the three mosques which are the masjid Haram, masjid un nabawi and masdi ul Aqsa. Some Muslims foolishly stay in mosques other than the three mosques with the intention of sitiing for I'tikaf which is wrong and has no basis because I'tikaf is only in the three mosques. These Muslims, due to their ignorance and blind following, stay away from their wives and do not even come out of the mosques and say that they are observing I'tikaf. Let me point out some hadiths on how the prophet (Sal) observed I'tikaf.
Abdullah Ibn Umar(Rali) narrated,
"Allah's Apostle used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
"The Prophet used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him."
(Bukhari)
Abu said al Khudri(Rali) narrated,
"Allah's Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan and once he stayed in Itikaf till the night of the twenty-first and it was the night in the morning of which he used to come out of his Itikaf. The Prophet said, "Whoever was in Itikaf with me should stay in Itikaf for the last ten days, for I was informed (of the date) of the Night (of Qadr) but I have been caused to forget it. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water in the morning of that night. So, look for it in the last ten nights and in the odd ones of them." It rained that night and the roof of the mosque dribbled as it was made of leaf stalks of date-palms. I saw with my own eyes the mark of mud and water on the forehead of the Prophet (i.e. in the morning of the twenty-first)."
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
The Prophet used to (put) bend his head (out) to me while he was in Itikaf in the mosque during my monthly periods and I would comb and oil his hair.
(Bukhari)
Aisha(Rali) narrated,
"The Prophet intended to practice Itikaf and when he reached the place where he intended to perform Itikaf, he saw some tents, the tents of 'Aisha, Hafsa and Zainab. So, he said, "Do you consider that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?" And then he went away and did not perform Itikaf (in Ramadan) but performed it in the month of Shawwal for ten days."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Umar(Rali) narrated,
Umar asked the Prophet "I vowed in the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance to stay in Itikaf for one night in Al-Masjid al-Haram." The Prophet said to him, "Fulfill your vow."
(Bukhari)
From all these hadiths we an understand that I;tikaf has some rules and regulations and it is proven from the authentic hadiths that you cannot have your intention to stay in I'tikaf unless they are in the three mosques which are, masjid ul Haram,masjid ul Qsa ans masjid un Nabawi. It is unfortunate that many Muslim brothers and sisters observe I'tikaf in place like India,Malaysia,USA and elsewhere and this I'tikaf is not I'tikaf and goes against the hadith of the prophet(Sal) who said that there is no I'tikaf except for the three masjids. You can clearly stay in any masjid but not with the intention and hops of sitting for I'tikaf. Abu Hurayrah(Rali) narrated,
The prophet(Sal) said,
"The reward of the prayer offered by a person in congregation is twenty five times greater than that of the prayer offered in one's house or in the market (alone). And this is because if he performs ablution and does it perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and his one sin is taken off (crossed out) from his accounts (of deeds). When he offers his prayer, the angels keep on asking Allah's Blessings and Allah's forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla. They say, 'O Allah! Bestow Your blessings upon him, be Merciful and kind to him.' And one is regarded in prayer as long as one is waiting for the prayer."
(Bukhari)
In the above hadith, the prophet (Sal) said, "The angels keep on asking Allah's Blessings and Allah's forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla" proves that you can stay in any mosque with out the intention of sitting for I'tikaf and this statement was said generally by the prophet (Sal).
From all the evidence, it is clear that you cannot sit for I'tikaf except in three mosques but you can stay in any mosque with out the intention of sitting for I'tikaf. Allah(Swt) has made this religion very easy and let us not make it difficult by staying for days on end especially during Ramazan in any mosque as this rule of I'tikaf only applies to the three masjids which are masjid ul Haram,Masjid ul Aqsa, and Masjid un Nabawi.