I'tikaf as a Communal Sunna: In Every Mosque and Every City?

Question

For what size of population will the i'tikaf of one person suffice? For example, in places such as Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and the like, will the i'tikaf of one person suffice, or will several people have to sit in i'tikaf?

Answer

The best thing is that at least one person should observe i'tikaf in every mosque. There is great negligence regarding this communal sunna (sunna 'ala al-kifaya), which is a very great deprivation. If there is even one mu'takif in the neighbourhood or in the city, it will suffice.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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