Hadith on women doing itikaf at home
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
The same way it is advisable for women to perform her salah at home, it is also better that they do their itikaf there as well.
Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha reports that when the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam decided to observe itikaf he prayed in the morning and then went to the place of his itikaf, and he commanded that a tent should be pitched for him, and it was pitched. He Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam decided to observe itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan. Saaidah Zainab (the wife of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam commanded that a tent should be pitched for her. It was pitched for her accordingly. Some other wives also commanded that a tent be pitched for them. It was pitched for them too. When the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam saw so many tents thereupon said; what is the virtue that these (ladies) have decided to acquire? He commanded his tent to be struck and abandoned itikaf in the month of Ramadhan and postponed it to the first ten days of Shawwal. (Sahih Muslim p.371 v.1)
A woman should do itikaf in that place where she normally reads her prayers. If that is not possible then she should designate a place and observe her itikaf there. (Maariful Hadith p.119 v.4)
With regards to your question that are there any ahadith clearly saying that women can do itikaf in their homes or somewhere besides the masjid.
Saaiduna Ibn Abi Mulaikah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha would perform itikaf in a place between the mountains of Uhud and Thubair and her slave would come and lead her in the prayer. This hadith can be found in Musanaff Abdur Razzaq p.350 v.4.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
