Intention for I’tikaf
Question: Is it necessary to make an intention for I’tikaf just like other acts of worship?
Answer: Since I’tikaf is an act of worship, intention is also necessary for it because the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has made intention obligatory for every act of worship.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
«اِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ»
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
But it should be remembered that no verbal expression is established for this. It is an act of the heart. Some people, upon entering the mosque for I’tikaf, have restricted themselves to saying the words: «نَوَيْتُ سُنَّةَ الْاِعْتِكَافِ» (I have made the intention for I’tikaf), which is incorrect and not established from any hadith, so it should be avoided.
