that the majority were mistaken while you alone got it right. For this reason, when Ḥudhayfah said to Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with them both), “Some people are observing iʿtikāf (ritual seclusion) in Basra even though the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘There is no iʿtikāf except in three mosques: the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and al-Aqṣā,’” Ibn Masʿūd replied, “Perhaps they have remembered something you have forgotten and preserved what has slipped your mind,” thus considering Ḥudhayfah to be the one in error.

The reason is that Muslims are all but unanimous that iʿtikāf is valid in any mosque. Even if Ḥudhayfah’s ḥadith were sound, its meaning would simply be that the most complete iʿtikāf is in those three mosques. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Allah to address the Muslim community in the Qur’an, saying, “Do not approach them while you are secluded in the mosques” (2:187), and then for us to claim that iʿtikāf is limited to three mosques which not even one percent of Muslims can ever visit. Such an explanation flies in the face of eloquence and clarity.

Yet some people relish odd views because they want to be noticed. As the common saying goes, “Contradict the crowd and you will be remembered.” Once someone departs from the consensus, he becomes famous. Thus you find certain individuals issuing fatwas based on eccentric positions with no supporting proof, contradicting the evidence and the opinion of the majority, and they gain notoriety for it. The Prophet ﷺ likened the one who separates from the congregation to the stray sheep that the wolf devours. Allah is the One who grants success.