I‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque) is a Sunnah (recommended act) for both the man and the woman in the light of the evidence of its permissibility, and consensus over this was reported except what was reported from Maalik that he disliked I‘tikaaf as mentioned by some of the Maaliki scholars. The ruling of I‘tikaaf, thus, is that it is a Sunnah act unless one makes it obligatory for himself through a vow. This is supported by what ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the Prophet, , “I had made a vow in Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) to make I‘tikaaf one night (and in another narration: one day) in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (Grand Mosque in Makkah).”Thereupon, the Prophet, , said: “Fulfill your vow.”
Other than when it is vowed, I‘tikaaf is not obligatory; rather, it is a Sunnah act for men and women according to the sounder opinion maintained by scholars. Regarding the report about Imaam Maalik there is a difference in opinion among those who narrated that on his authority. Some of them said that Maalik did not in fact dislike I‘tikaaf, whereas others, like Ibn Rushd, may Allah have mercy upohn him, said that Imaam Maalik disliked it. In any case, this opinion is outweighed even if it was truly Maalik’s opinion. As for the I‘tikaaf of the woman, it is permissible according to the opinion of the majority of scholars. However, it was reported that Al-Qaadhi who was a a Hanbali scholar, disliked the I‘tikaaf of the young woman but this is a weak opinion because the wives of the Prophet, , practiced I‘tikaaf ,and it is known that some of them were young like ‘Aa’ishah, Umm Salamah and Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with them. They were young women during the lifetime of the Prophet, , and yet they made I‘tikaaf. Hence, saying that the I‘tikaaf of the young woman is disliked is groundless.