Six: Iʿtikāf must be performed in one of ‘the four mosques’...

Six: Iʿtikāf must be performed in one of ‘the four mosques’ or a jāmiʿ mosque: It is correct to perform Iʿtikāf in Masjid al-Ḥarām, Masjid al-Nabī (Ṣ), Masjid al-Kūfah, and Masjid al-Baṣrah. Similarly, it is correct to perform Iʿtikāf in the jāmiʿ mosque of every town, except when the religious leadership (Imāmah) of that mosque is in the hands of a person who is not dutiful (ʿādil), in which case, based on obligatory precaution, Iʿtikāf is not correct.

A jāmiʿ mosque is one that is not particular to people of a specific locality, area, or group; rather, it is a place where people of different areas and localities of the town gather and frequent. The legality (mashrūʿiyyah) of Iʿtikāf performed in any mosque other than a jāmiʿ mosque is not established; however, there is no problem in performing Iʿtikāf in other mosques with the intention that it being a desirable act is probable.

As for performing Iʿtikāf in a place that is not a mosque –for example, in a place that is a ḥusayniyyah3 or only a prayer room – it is not correct and has no legal basis. Seven: Iʿtikāf must take place in one mosque: It is necessary that Iʿtikāf be performed in one mosque. Therefore, one Iʿtikāf cannot be performed in two mosques, whether they are separate from each other or joined together, unless they are joined together in a manner that they are commonly considered one mosque.

Eight: Iʿtikāf must be performed with the permission of one whose permission is legally (sharʿan) required: Iʿtikāf must be performed with the permission of one whose permission is legally required. Therefore, if a woman’s staying in a mosque is unlawful (ḥarām) – for example, because she has left her house without the consent of her husband – her Iʿtikāf is invalid.

In case a woman’s staying in a mosque is not unlawful but performing Iʿtikāf conflicts with her husband’s rights, the validity of her iʿtikāf – if performed without her husband’s permission – is problematic (maḥall al‑ishkāl) [i.e. based on obligatory precaution, it is not valid]. Similarly, if Iʿtikāf disturbs and annoys one’s parents due to their compassion and sympathy for him, it is necessary for him to obtain their permission.

And if it does not annoy them, the recommended precaution is that he should get their consent. Nine: A muʿtakif must refrain from doing the unlawful acts of Iʿtikāf: Someone who is performing Iʿtikāf must refrain from doing the unlawful acts of Iʿtikāf, which are as follows: 1. Smelling a pleasant fragrance; 2.