Question: We would like to know what is meant by “I’tikaf” and its ruling?
A: I’tikaf is for a person to confine himself to the mosque in obedience to Allah so as to separate himself from the people and free himself (from the chores of daily life) to exert himself in worshipping Allah.
This can take place in any mosque, whether it is a mosque in which people gather for the Friday prayer or not.
However, it is better (to perform the I’tikaf) in a mosque in which the people gather for the Friday prayer so that one performing I’tikaf is not forced to leave the mosque (in which he is doing I’tikaf) to go to another mosque for the Friday prayer.
– Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Fatawa Ramadan – Volume 2, Page 861, Fatwa No.846, Fiqh al–’Ibaadaat – Page 208
Dr. Bilal Philips