Allah Almighty says:
✿ «وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ»
“And when you are in i’tikaf in the mosques, do not have sexual relations with your wives.”
From this, it is understood that i’tikaf can only be performed in a mosque.
I’tikaf can be performed in any mosque; however, it is better to perform i’tikaf in a mosque where Friday and congregational prayers are held so that one does not have to leave frequently.
It is recommended for the one performing i’tikaf to engage in voluntary acts of worship, keeping themselves busy with prayer, recitation of the Quran, praising Allah, glorification, saying Takbeer, seeking forgiveness, remembrances, sending blessings and salutations, and supplications. Similarly, one can study scholarly books, discuss Tafsir, Hadith, and Fiqh books, and study the biographies of the Prophets and righteous people. During i’tikaf, one should avoid purposeless and unbeneficial speech and actions.
Seclusion (I’tikaf) throughout the month of Ramadan in search of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ «عن ابي سلمة، قال: انطلقت إلى ابي سعيد الخدري، فقلت: الا تخرج بنا إلى النخل نتحدث، فخرج، فقال: قلت: حدثني ما سمعت من النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فى ليلة القدر، قال:” اعتكف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عشر الاول من رمضان واعتكفنا معه، فاتاه جبريل، فقال: إن الذى تطلب امامك فاعتكف العشر الاوسط فاعتكفنا معه، فاتاه جبريل، فقال: إن الذى تطلب امامك، فقام النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم خطيبا صبيحة عشرين من رمضان، فقال: من كان اعتكف مع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فليرجع فإني اريت ليلة القدر وإني نسيتها وإنها فى العشر الاواخر فى وتر، وإني رايت كاني اسجد فى طين وماء وكان سقف المسجد جريد النخل وما نرى فى السماء شيئا، فجاءت قزعة فامطرنا فصلى بنا النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى رايت اثر الطين والماء على جبهة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وارنبته تصديق رؤياه.»
Abu Sulaymā رضي الله عنه narrates that one day I went to Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه and said to him, “Why don’t you come with us to such-and-such a palm grove so that we may talk?” So he went out. Abu Sulaymā says, I asked him, “What have you heard from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about Laylat al-Qadr?” He said, “The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم once observed I’tikaf in the first ten days of Ramadan, and we also observed I’tikaf with him. During that time, Angel Jibril عليه السلام came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said that what you are seeking (i.e., Laylat al-Qadr) is ahead. Therefore, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم observed I’tikaf in the middle ten days, and we also observed I’tikaf with him. Then Angel Jibril عليه السلام came again and said that what you are seeking is ahead. So on the morning of the twentieth of Ramadan, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stood up to deliver a sermon and said: ‘Whoever has been observing I’tikaf with the Prophet (so far) should return (i.e., end their I’tikaf), because I have been shown Laylat al-Qadr, then it was taken away, and it is on an odd night in the last ten days. And I saw in a dream as if I was prostrating in dust and water.’ At that time, the roof of the mosque was made of palm branches, and we were not seeing anything in the sky (i.e., no clouds), when suddenly a piece of cloud came and rained upon us. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم led us in prayer, and I saw the marks of dust and water on the Prophet’s forehead and nose, confirming his dream.”
I’tikaf in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
❀ «عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما، قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: إن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان حتى توفاه الله، ثم اعتكف أزواجه من بعده.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away, and after him, his wives observed I’tikaf.
I’tikaf for Twenty Days for More Reward
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف فى كل رمضان عشرة أيام، فلما كان العام الذى قبض فيه اعتكف عشرين يوما»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf for ten days every Ramadan, but in the year he passed away, he observed I’tikaf for twenty days.
Making up the missed I’tikaf of Ramadan
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذكر:” ان يعتكف العشر الاواخر من رمضان، فاستاذنته عائشة فاذن لها، وسالت حفصة عائشة ان تستاذن لها، ففعلت، فلما رات ذلك زينب ابنة جحش امرت ببناء فبني لها، قالت: وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا صلى انصرف إلى بنائه فبصر بالابنية، فقال: ما هذا؟ قالوا: بناء عائشة، وحفصة، وزينب، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” آلبر اردن بهذا، ما انا بمعتكف فرجع، فلما افطر، اعتكف عشرا من شوال”.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, so Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) for permission to perform I’tikaf, and he granted her permission. Then Hazrat Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) requested Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to ask for permission on her behalf as well, and she did, so permission was granted to her too. When Hazrat Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with them both) saw this, she also ordered a tent to be set up, and a tent was erected for her as well. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished the prayer, he went towards his tent, and his gaze fell upon some tents, so he inquired what they were. People said: These are the tents of Hazrat Aisha, Hazrat Hafsa, and Hazrat Zainab (may Allah be pleased with them). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Did they intend goodness through this? I will not remain in I’tikaf.” So he returned. Then when the fasts ended, he performed I’tikaf for ten days in Shawwal.
Note: This hadith does not prove that if someone is performing a voluntary I’tikaf and then abandons it, making it up is obligatory. It was the usual practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that if he started something, he would complete it. However, making up is certainly recommended. But if someone has vowed to perform I’tikaf or has made it obligatory upon themselves and then does not complete it, then making it up is obligatory.
Combining the making up of I’tikaf with the I’tikaf of the following year
❀«عن أبى بن كعب رضي الله عنه: أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان، فلم يعتكفت عاما، فلما كان فى العام المقبل اعتكف عشرين ليلة.
وفي رواية ابن ماجه زيادة: فسافر عاما. (أي: فسافر عاما فلم يعتكف.)»
Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. One year, he (peace be upon him) could not observe I’tikaf, so the next year he observed I’tikaf for twenty days.
And Imam Tirmidhi narrated this from Hazrat Anas.
In the narration of Imam Ibn Majah, there is an addition that one year the Prophet (peace be upon him) went on a journey, meaning he could not observe I’tikaf due to traveling.
Time to Enter I’tikaf
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذا أراد أن يعتكف صلى الفجر، ثم دخل معتكفه.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) intended to observe I’tikaf, he would pray Fajr and then go to the place of I’tikaf.
The words are from Sahih Muslim.
Note: According to the majority of scholars, one who intends to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan should enter I’tikaf before sunset on the 20th of Ramadan. The meaning of the mentioned hadith is that the place designated for I’tikaf in the mosque was reached after Fajr prayer, while for I’tikaf in the mosque, one would come at the beginning of the night.
Similarly, one who observes I’tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan will leave after sunset when the month ends. According to some scholars, it is recommended that he remain in the mosque even after sunset on the last day and go from there to the Eid prayer, but if he leaves I’tikaf immediately after sunset, that is also sufficient.
Designating a Place in the Mosque for I’tikaf
«عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان، قال نافع رحمه الله: وقد أراني عبد الله رضي الله عنه: المكان الذى كان يعتكف فيه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من المسجد.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan. Nafi (may Allah have mercy on him) says that Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) showed me the place where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to stay during I’tikaf.
❀ «عن عبيد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : أنه كان إذا اعتكف طرح له فراشه، أو وضع له سريره وراء أسطوانة التوبة .»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) says that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) observed I’tikaf, his bed was placed near the Pillar of Repentance, or a cot was spread there.
Note: It is called the Pillar of Repentance because a companion, Hazrat Abul Babah bin Abdul Mundhir (may Allah be pleased with him), after committing a sin, tied himself to it until Allah accepted his repentance.
❀ «عن أبى سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه، قال: إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم اعتكف العشر الأول من رمضان، ثم اعتكف العشر الأوسط، فى قبة تركية على سدتها حصير.»
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) observed I’tikaf in the first ten days of Ramadan, then again in the middle ten days, in a Turkish tent whose door had a piece of mat hanging on it.
Place of I’tikaf for women
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت،” ان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الاواخر من رمضان حتى توفاه الله”، ثم اعتكف ازواجه من بعده.»
Hazrat Aisha (RA) says that the Prophet (PBUH) used to observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away, and after him, his wives observed I’tikaf.
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: إن كنت لادخل البيت للحاجة، والمريض فيه، فما أسأل عنه إلا وأنا مارة»
Hazrat Aisha (RA) says that out of necessity, I would enter the house, and if there was a sick person in the house, I would just pass by and inquire about their condition.
Note: This indicates that she observed I’tikaf in the mosque.
I’tikaf of a woman with istihaza
❀«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت:” اعتكفت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم امراة من ازواجه مستحاضة، فكانت ترى الحمرة والصفرة، فربما وضعنا الطست تحتها وهى تصلي”.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed i’tikaf while in the state of istihaza, and she would see redness and yellowness. Often, we would place a basin underneath her, and she would pray.
Is fasting a condition for i’tikaf?
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ترك الإعتكاف فى شهر رمضان، حتى اعتكف فى العشر الأولي من شوال.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) abandoned i’tikaf during Ramadan, then performed i’tikaf in the first ten days of Shawwal.
These words are from Sahih Muslim.
Note: There is no mention here of fasting being required with i’tikaf; if one fasted, this was also commonly known among people.
❀«عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما، أن عمر سأل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: كنت نذرت فى الجاهلية أن أعتكف ليلة فى المسجد الحرام، قال: فاؤف بنذرك.»
❀ «وفي رواية عند البخاري: أوف نذرك، فاعتكف ليلة.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) also said to him: I made a vow during the time of ignorance that I would perform I’tikaf for one night in Masjid al-Haram. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fulfill your vow.”
The wording of a narration in Imam Bukhari is: “Fulfill your vow, and perform I’tikaf for one night.”
Note: This narration mentions I’tikaf for the night, and fasting is not observed at night, which indicates that fasting is not a condition for I’tikaf.
As for the narrations that mention fasting along with I’tikaf, they are weak. For details, see: Al-Jami’ al-Kamil fi al-Hadith al-Sahih al-Shamil
Thus, it is understood that fasting is not a condition for I’tikaf, because I’tikaf and fasting are two separate acts of worship.
Leaving the mosque by the one observing I’tikaf due to necessities
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان النب صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذا اعتكف، يدني إلى رأسه فارجله، وكان لا يدخل البيت إلا لحاجة الإنسان.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), while in the state of I’tikaf, would bring his head close to me and I would comb it, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would enter the house only for human necessities.
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: إن كنت لادخل البيت للحاجة، والمريض فيه، فما أسأل عنه إلا وأنا مارة، وإن كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليدخل على رأسه وهو فى المسجد فأرجله، وكان لا يدخل البيت إلا لحاجة، إذا كان معتكفا .»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when there was a necessity, I would enter the house, and if there was a sick person in the house, I would just pass by and inquire about their condition. And when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in I’tikaf, he would bring his head close to me from the mosque, and I would comb it, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would enter the house only for necessities.”
The words are from Sahih Muslim. The first narration is not in Sahih Bukhari.
Note: From these ahadith, it is understood that the one observing I’tikaf can leave the mosque only for his necessities.
As for the hadith that permits the one observing I’tikaf to attend funerals and visit the sick, it is weak and cannot be acted upon. It was narrated by Ibn Majah (1777).
Visiting the One in I’tikaf
«عن على بن الحسين رضي الله عنه:” ان صفية رضي الله عنها زوج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اخبرته، انها جاءت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم تزوره فى اعتكافه فى المسجد فى العشر الاواخر من رمضان، فتحدثت عنده ساعة، ثم قامت تنقلب، فقام النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم معها يقلبها، حتى إذا بلغت باب المسجد، عند باب ام سلمة مر رجلان من الانصار، فسلما على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال لهما النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: على رسلكما، إنما هي صفية بنت حيي، فقالا: سبحان الله يا رسول الله، وكبر عليهما، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الشيطان يبلغ من الإنسان مبلغ الدم، وإني خشيت ان يقذف فى قلوبكما شيئا”.»
Ali bin Hussain narrates that Hazrat Safiya (may Allah be pleased with her) told him that she came to meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while he was in I’tikaf in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan. She spoke with him for a short while, and when she stood up to leave, the Prophet (peace be upon him) also stood with her to escort her. When they reached near the door of Hazrat Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) by the mosque’s door, two Ansari companions passed by. Both greeted the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) with salaam, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to them: “Wait, this is Safiya bint Hayy (my wife).” They said: “SubhanAllah, O Messenger of Allah!” (meaning, could there be any suspicion about you!) This statement from the Prophet (peace be upon him) was difficult for them to accept, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained: “Satan circulates in the human body like blood, and I feared that he might cause suspicion in your hearts.”
The Mu’takif should take care of his cleanliness and grooming
❀«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى رأسه وهو مجاور فى المسجد، فأرجله وأنا حائض.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to be in I’tikaf in a mosque, and he would turn his head towards me, so I would comb it, and at that time I was in a state of menstruation.
❀«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: وكان صلى الله عليه وسلم يخرج رأسه من المسجد وهو معتكف، فاغسله وأنا حائض.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to be in I’tikaf in the mosque, and he would put his head out of the mosque, and I would wash it, and at that time I was in a state of menstruation.
Dislike of Loud Recitation During I’tikaf
❀ «عن البياضي رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خرج على الناس وهم يصلون، وقد علت أصواتهم بالقراءة، فقال: إن المصلي يناجي ربه، فلينظر بما يناجيه به، ولا يجهر بعضكم على بعض بالقرآن.»
Bayazi states that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came to the people while they were praying, and their voices were becoming loud in recitation. He, peace be upon him, said: “The one who prays whispers to his Lord, so let him see what he is whispering, and do not raise your voices over one another in reciting the Qur’an.”
Note: Some narrations clarify that this incident occurred during I’tikaf in Ramadan, such as:
❀ «أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم اعتكف العشر من رمضان، وقال: إن أحدكم إذا كان فى الصلاة، فإنما يناجي ربه، فلا ترفعوا أصواتكم بالقرآن»
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, observed I’tikaf for ten days in Ramadan and said: “When any of you is in prayer, he is whispering to his Lord, so do not raise your voices in reciting the Qur’an.”
❀ «عن ابي سعيد، قال: اعتكف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى المسجد فسمعهم يجهرون بالقراءة فكشف الستر، وقال:” الا إن كلكم مناج ربه فلا يؤذين بعضكم بعضا، ولا يرفع بعضكم على بعض فى القراءة، او قال: فى الصلاة”.»
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed I’tikaf in the mosque. He heard people reciting loudly, so he removed the curtain and said: “Each one of you is whispering to his Lord, so do not harm one another, and do not raise your voices over each other in recitation,” or he said: “Do not raise your voices over each other in prayer.”
❀ «عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما، أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اعتكف و خطب الناس فقال: أما إن أحدكم إذا قام فى الصلاة، فإنه يناجي ربه، فليعلم أحدكم ما يناجي ربه، ولا يجهر بعضكم على بعض بالقراءة فى الصلاة.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) observed I’tikaf and while delivering a sermon said: “When any one of you is in prayer, he is whispering to his Lord, so he should know what he is whispering to his Lord, and do not prevent some of you from reciting over others in prayer.”
