I'tikaf in a Mosque That Is Not a Waqf

Question

Is it permissible to perform the i'tikaf of Ramadan in mosques that are not waqf, or not? What is the condition regarding the mosque for i'tikaf in “Bihishti Zewar” (“Heavenly Ornaments”)?

Answer

A mosque in the Shari'a sense comes into being only when it is a waqf; without waqf it is not a mosque in the Shari'a sense, even though the Friday prayer and the five daily prayers performed there are also discharged. However, the waqf mosque has the superiority, and i'tikaf should be performed only in a waqf mosque.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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