What is the ruling on performing I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan in more than one mosque, such as spending two nights in one mosque and two other nights in another mosque, for the sake of variety and to increase one's spiritual vigor?

It is permissible to perform i'tikaf in more than one mosque, because i'tikaf is valid even for an hour or a moment according to some scholars. However, by doing so, the one performing i'tikaf misses the complete Sunnah reported concerning i'tikaf, which is the guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who performed i'tikaf for the entire period continuously in one mosque and did not leave it except for a need.

Similarly, it is permissible for the one performing i'tikaf to stipulate leaving to pray Tarawih in another mosque to invigorate his spirit, or for a permissible matter, or for an act of proximity to Allah. However, maintaining the i'tikaf is more preferable. Rather, the one performing i'tikaf should seek out the most suitable mosques for him and perform his i'tikaf there, and if he wishes, he may choose a different mosque in the following year.