What is the ruling on i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) without the approval of one's mother and wife?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to disobey the mother by performing I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) if it is not obligatory, as obedience to parents takes precedence over supererogatory acts of worship. If one disobeys her and performs I'tikaf, he has sinned, but his I'tikaf is valid. However, if the I'tikaf is obligatory, such as a vowed I'tikaf, then the right of Allah Almighty takes precedence. As for the wife, it is permissible to perform I'tikaf without her consent, as long as it does not lead to her neglect or cause her harm.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/156819
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 156819
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy