Spiritual Retreat: Taking the Shortest Route When Leaving or Returning

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani

Ruling 1758

Based on obligatory precaution, it is necessary for a muʿtakif to take the shortest route when he leaves the place of iʿtikāf or returns to it. However, if he would end up staying outside the mosque for a shorter time by using a longer route, he must choose the longer route.

-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Spiritual Retreat (Iʿtikāf)