Reference: Fataawa Ramadhaan v2 p869 no.855
Fataawa as-Siyaam libni Jibreen p111
Question: What is the ruling of i’tikaaf, and is it permissible to do it in other than the masaajid (plural of masjid)?
Response: I’tikaaf is sunnah (recommended but not obligatory), and is not correct except in the masaajid.
Firstly: Because Allaah the Majestic the High said:
He also said:
The “House” is al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah].
Secondly: If he were to make i’tikaaf in other than the masaajid, it would lead him to missing prayers with the congregation of Muslims in the masaajid and leaving it is a great sin. Or it would lead him to frequently go to the prayer, and his frequent leaving, going and coming contradicts the i’tikaaf, because the i’tikaaf is that the one doing it attaches himself [to the place of his i’tikaaf].
