If one vows I'tikaf in Al-Masjid al-Haram, can they perform it elsewhere?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of I'tikaf
Primary text
If one vows I'tikaf in Al-Masjid al-Haram, one cannot perform it elsewhere because it is the most superior. Umar vowed to observe I'tikaf for one night there during Jahiliyyah, and the Prophet (PBUH) commanded him to fulfill his vow.
Supporting text
If one vows I'tikaf in the Prophet's Mosque, one may perform it in Al-Masjid al-Haram because it is superior. However, one may not perform it in Al-Aqsa Mosque because the Prophet's Mosque is superior to it. Another view holds that the Prophet's Mosque is superior to Al-Masjid al-Haram because the Prophet (PBUH) was buried in the best of places, and Allah moved him there from Mecca, indicating its superiority. If one vows I'tikaf in Al-Aqsa Mosque, one may perform it in the other two mosques because they are superior to it. If one vows I'tikaf in a mosque other than these three and that mosque is destroyed, one must complete the I'tikaf elsewhere, and the I'tikaf is not invalidated.