Fatwa ID: 06557

Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Question:

Can a woman change her place of Salah just for the month of Ramadhan and perform I’tikaaf there?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Allah mentions in the Qur’an:

وَلا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِد

And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. [Surah Baqarah verse 187]

In the verse, there is a قرينة (Indication) that only mentions men – وَلاَ تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ “And do not have sexual contact with them (women) when you are in a state of I’tikaaf in the Masjids,” which means “while you are in a state of I’tikaaf in the Masjids.” In actuality, speaking to men exclusively excludes women. As a result, doing I’tikaaf in the Masjid is not a requirement for women; instead, they do it at home in their places of sajdah as taken from the word (مَسَاجِد) place of sajdah.

Itikaf should be performed where a woman typically reads her prayers. If this is not practicable or possible for whatever reason of late, she should identify a location where she will observe her I’tikaaf by the will of Allah.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham