Answered by Shuyookh Ibn Baaz, Muqbil Bin Haadee, Uthaymeen & Yahya Al-Hajooree (Rahimahullaahu ta'ala)
Question:
Shaykh Ibn Baaz rahimahAllaah
was asked: How sound is the hadeeth “There is no i’tikaaf except in the three
mosques”? If the hadeeth is saheeh, does that in fact mean that i’tikaaf can
only be observed in the three mosques?
He
replied:
I’tikaaf is valid in mosques other than the three mosques, but it is essential that the mosque in which i’tikaaf is
observed is a mosque in which prayers are held in congregation. If no prayers
are held in congregation there, then it is not valid to observe i’tikaaf there.
But if a person has vowed to observe i’tikaaf in one of the three mosques then
he is obliged to do so in fulfillment of his vow.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 15/444.
** ‘I’tikaaf: retiring to a Masjid for the remembrance of Allaah
