The statement of the Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “For he observes itikaf in Mecca wherever he wishes,” only means that he may pray wherever he wishes while observing itikaf. Do you not see that the Imam عليه السلام was explaining the prayer of the one observing itikaf? Imam عليه السلام said: “The one observing itikaf does not pray in any place other than the mosque in which he is observing itikaf, except in Mecca; for in Mecca he observes itikaf wherever he wishes.” If the meaning were not as we have explained, then it would not be proper for this to be made an exception to the ruling concerning prayer, nor would the second statement be connected to the first. Therefore, the implied meaning of the statement is: “The one observing itikaf does not pray anywhere other than the mosque in which he is observing itikaf, except in Mecca; for there, he may pray somewhere other than the mosque in which he is observing itikaf.” By this, Mecca is distinguished from all other places.