In the last third of Ramadan, a Muslim is recommended to increase his worship and devotion so as to bring himself nearer to Allah; he should make use of the last chance of the blessed month of Ramadan. Here, we recall the Hadith narrated by `Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, in which she said that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to observe I`tikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and he continued this practice until his death. After him his wives carried on this practice of observing I`tikaf regularly.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The eminent Muslim scholar, Dr. `Abdul-Fattah `Ashoor, Professor of the Exegesis of the Qur’an at Al-Azhar Univ., states: “I`tikaf is recommended by the Sunnah for both men and women. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, performed I`tikaf himself and so did his wives during his life and after his death.
Accordingly, there is nothing wrong if women perform I`tikaf in the mosque provided that this will not cause any negligence to the rights of their husbands or that of their children.
However, scholars of Al-Hanafiyyah and Al-Malikiyyah are of the opinion that women can perform I`tikaf in their homes where they are accustomed to performing prayer. In conclusion, I think it is better for women to follow this latter opinion.”