Question: Is it permissible for a single sister to go to the masjid at the time of iftaar (breaking the fast), and then stay there until Salaatut-Taraaweeh and to make 'itikaaf for the last ten days in the masjid?

Answer to question: The principle in respect to the Salaah of the lady is that it is better for her to pray at home. However, it is permissible for her to go to the masjid if there is no fitnah involved in her doing so.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned that “If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her.”[1] Also, ‘Aaisha رضى الله عنها said that: “Allaah's Apostle used to offer the Fajr prayer when it was still dark and the believing women used to return (after finishing their prayer) and nobody could recognize them owing to darkness, or they could not recognize one another.”[2]
So the condition stipulated in that is that there should be no fitnah involved in her doing so, and there should be no mixing with the men. This is the same regulation for the ‘itikaaf – as long as there is no fitnah involved and no mixing, this is permissible.


Answered by: Shaykh Abdul Azeez aal Shaykh

Title of Lecture: Virtues of Fasting

Date of the Lecture: 15th October 2005

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Read the Transcribed Lecture: Click Here

[1] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Kitaab an-Nikaah (#4940) and in Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab as-Salaah (#442).

[2] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree with the following wording in Kitaab Mawaaqeetis-Salaah (#553).