What is Itikaf – All you need to know about Itikaf

أُحِلَّ لَكُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمۡۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٞ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسٞ لَّهُنَّۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡۖ فَٱلۡـَٰٔنَ بَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۚ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡيَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَٰكِفُونَ فِي ٱلۡمَسَٰجِدِۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ
187. It has been made lawful (419) for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you used to put your soul in defalcation (420). He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you (421). Now, copulate with them and seek what Allah has written (422) for you. And eat and drink (423) until the white thread becomes clear to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then complete (424) the fast unto the fall of night (sunset). Do not touch your women (wives) (425) while you are in the mosques in secluded devotion (I’tikaaf). These are the limits of Allah. So do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His verses to the people that they may become pious.

The above verse is from Surah Name : Al-Baqarah   Surah Number : 2   Ayat Number: 187

I’tikaaf: A Spiritual Retreat in the Mosque

I’tikaaf is a devout practice in Islam where a person dedicates a specific period to seclusion and worship within a mosque. The word “I’tikaaf” is derived from the Arabic root “akafa,” which means to adhere to a certain place for a particular purpose. During I’tikaaf, the individual remains in the mosque, focusing solely on acts of worship and spiritual reflection. It is a Sunnah (recommended practice) that holds special significance during the last ten days of Ramadan ¹².

Here are some key points about I’tikaaf:

1. Purpose and Intention:

   • The primary intention behind I’tikaaf is to draw closer to Allah (SWT) through uninterrupted devotion.
   • It is an opportunity to disconnect from worldly affairs and immerse oneself in prayer, recitation of the Quran, and remembrance of Allah.

2. Timing:

   • The most recommended time for I’tikaaf is during the last ten days of Ramadan.
   • A person can begin I’tikaaf after sunset on the 20th day of Ramadan and continue until the sighting of the Eid moon.
   • If Ramadan is either 29 or 30 days, the Sunnah remains the same.

3. Location:

   • Men are encouraged to perform I’tikaaf in a mosque where they can participate in congregational prayers.
   • Women can also observe I’tikaaf in a mosque if they have privacy and necessary facilities. Otherwise, they can practice it at home in a secluded corner.

4. Acts of Worship During I’tikaaf:

   • All acts of worship are permissible during I’tikaaf:
     • Recitation of the Quran
     • Sending blessings upon the Prophet (Darood)
     • Studying Islamic knowledge
     • Making supplications (Dua)
     • Reflecting on righteous matters
     • Seeking forgiveness (Taubah)
   • However, simply doing nothing and considering it worship does not count as I’tikaaf.

5. Daily Needs:

   • It is normal to eat, drink, and attend to other essential needs during I’tikaaf.
   • Providing food and drink to fellow worshippers in the mosque is highly rewarding.

6. Things to Avoid:

   • Foul language or inappropriate behavior
   • Engaging in quarrels or fights
   • Disturbing others in I’tikaaf
   • Bringing excessive personal items

7. Leaving the Place of I’tikaaf:

   • Permissible reasons to leave the designated area include:
     • Using the restroom
     • Performing Ghusl (ritual purification)
     • Attending Friday (Jummah) prayer
     • Retrieving necessary items
     • Giving the call to prayer (Athan) if you are the Muazzin

8. Things That Nullify I’tikaaf:

   • Going out without a valid reason
   • Having unwanted company during I’tikaaf
   • Attending a funeral prayer (Janazah) unless previously intended

In summary, I’tikaaf is a time of spiritual retreat, self-reflection, and devotion. It allows believers to deepen their connection with Allah and seek His blessings. During this sacred period, interactions with spouses are limited to essential needs, ensuring that the focus remains on worship and self-purification.

May Allah guide us all in our spiritual endeavors during I’tikaaf and grant us His mercy and forgiveness.