Important Rulings on Iʿtikaf, Hadith Verification, and the Sharʿi Position
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 154
Please provide the authentication of some narrations related to Iʿtikaf and clarify the Sharʿi position on the following:
(a) The hadith “There is no Iʿtikaf except in a Jamiʿ Masjid”
(b) The hadith about performing one day of Iʿtikaf and the distance from Hellfire
(c) The hadith mentioning fifteen evils and their consequences
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Text:
From ʿAishah (RA):
“The Sunnah for the one observing Iʿtikaf is that he does not visit the sick, attend a funeral… and there is no Iʿtikaf except in a Jamiʿ Masjid.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 2473)
Chain:
Al-Zuhri → ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr (and Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib) → ʿAishah (RA)
Scholarly Comments:
Conclusion:
The narration, in this chain, is weak (mardud) according to hadith principles.
Note:
A mursal/muʿallaq version is in Muwattaʾ Malik with confirmed samaʿ. Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr in al-Tamhid (8/319) confirms Zuhri’s direct hearing in this case.
Other Authentic Reports Related to Iʿtikaf:
On Jamiʿ Masjid Requirement:
Text:
Ibn ʿAbbas (RA) reported the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Iʿtikaf for one day seeking Allah’s Face, Allah will place between him and the Fire three trenches further than the distance between the heavens and the earth.”
Sources:
Chain:
Bishr ibn Salam al-Bajali → ʿAbd al-ʿAziz ibn Abi Rawad → ʿAtaʾ → Ibn ʿAbbas
Criticism:
Conclusion:
The hadith is weak. Supporting reports in al-Mustadrak are even weaker, with liars and abandoned narrators.
Text:
From Abu Hurayrah (RA): The Prophet ﷺ mentioned fifteen sins — including treating war booty as personal property, seeing zakah as a burden, obeying the wife against the Shariʿah, disobeying the mother, disrespecting the father, raising voices in mosques, installing unworthy leaders, indulging in musical instruments, and cursing the earlier generations — after which punishments like red winds, earth swallowing, and transformation of faces will follow.
Source:
Chain:
Rumayh al-Judhami → Abu Hurayrah (RA)
Criticism:
Conclusion:
The narration is weak. Other chains include narrators declared daʿif or even kadhdhab (liar).
Conclusion:
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 154Question
Please provide the authentication of some narrations related to Iʿtikaf and clarify the Sharʿi position on the following:
(a) The hadith “There is no Iʿtikaf except in a Jamiʿ Masjid”
(b) The hadith about performing one day of Iʿtikaf and the distance from Hellfire
(c) The hadith mentioning fifteen evils and their consequences
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
(a) Hadith: Iʿtikaf Only in a Jamiʿ Masjid
Text:
From ʿAishah (RA):
“The Sunnah for the one observing Iʿtikaf is that he does not visit the sick, attend a funeral… and there is no Iʿtikaf except in a Jamiʿ Masjid.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 2473)
Chain:
Al-Zuhri → ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr (and Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib) → ʿAishah (RA)
Scholarly Comments:
- Shaykh al-Albani graded it Sahih (Irwa’ al-Ghalil 4/139, H. 966)
- However, al-Zuhri, though trustworthy, was a mudallis (see Tabaqat al-Mudallisin 3/102; Jamiʿ al-Tahsil, p. 109; al-Tabyin, p. 50)
- In non-Sahihayn books, an ʿanʿanah from a mudallis requires proof of direct hearing (samaʿ) or strong corroboration.
Conclusion:
The narration, in this chain, is weak (mardud) according to hadith principles.
Note:
A mursal/muʿallaq version is in Muwattaʾ Malik with confirmed samaʿ. Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr in al-Tamhid (8/319) confirms Zuhri’s direct hearing in this case.
Other Authentic Reports Related to Iʿtikaf:
- ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr: “No Iʿtikaf without fasting.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 3/87 – Sahih)
- Saʿid ibn Jubayr: permitted visiting the sick, attending Jumuʿah, obeying the ruler, and joining funerals. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 3/88 – Sahih)
- al-Zuhri: no attending funerals, visiting the sick, or accepting invitations. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 3/88 – Sahih)
On Jamiʿ Masjid Requirement:
- al-Zuhri and several imams opined Iʿtikaf should be in a mosque where congregation occurs.
- Qur’anic evidence (al-Baqarah: 187) is general, permitting Iʿtikaf in any masjid.
- Some reports allow it in a local masjid if Jumuʿah can be attended in a Jamiʿ Masjid.
(b) Hadith: One Day of Iʿtikaf and Distance from Hellfire
Text:
Ibn ʿAbbas (RA) reported the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Iʿtikaf for one day seeking Allah’s Face, Allah will place between him and the Fire three trenches further than the distance between the heavens and the earth.”
Sources:
- al-Muʿjam al-Awsat by al-Tabarani (8/160, H. 7322)
- Shuʿab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi (3/424, H. 3965)
Chain:
Bishr ibn Salam al-Bajali → ʿAbd al-ʿAziz ibn Abi Rawad → ʿAtaʾ → Ibn ʿAbbas
Criticism:
- Abu Hatim al-Razi: Bishr ibn Salam is munkar al-hadith (al-Jarh wal-Taʿdil 2/358)
- Shaykh al-Albani: graded weak (al-Silsilah al-Daʿifah 11/566, H. 5345; Daʿif al-Targhib 2/177)
Conclusion:
The hadith is weak. Supporting reports in al-Mustadrak are even weaker, with liars and abandoned narrators.
(c) Hadith: Fifteen Evils and Their Consequences
Text:
From Abu Hurayrah (RA): The Prophet ﷺ mentioned fifteen sins — including treating war booty as personal property, seeing zakah as a burden, obeying the wife against the Shariʿah, disobeying the mother, disrespecting the father, raising voices in mosques, installing unworthy leaders, indulging in musical instruments, and cursing the earlier generations — after which punishments like red winds, earth swallowing, and transformation of faces will follow.
Source:
- Sunan al-Tirmidhi (H. 2211) – Hadith Gharib
Chain:
Rumayh al-Judhami → Abu Hurayrah (RA)
Criticism:
- Rumayh is majhul (unknown) – Taqrib al-Tahdhib (1957)
Conclusion:
The narration is weak. Other chains include narrators declared daʿif or even kadhdhab (liar).
Agreed-Upon Rulings Related to Iʿtikaf and Fasting
- Daily intention for fasting in Ramadan is sufficient
- Suhur is recommended
- Unintentional vomiting does not break the fast; deliberate vomiting does
- Swallowing saliva does not break the fast
- Menstruating women must make up missed fasts after purification
- Elderly unable to fast must give fidyah
- Iʿtikaf is Sunnah; obligatory only if vowed
- Sexual relations invalidate Iʿtikaf
- Leaving the masjid for necessities is allowed
- Iʿtikaf is valid in three major mosques and other masjids as per stronger opinion
Conclusion:
- Some narrations on Iʿtikaf are weak and cannot be used as proof.
- Authentic athar indicate flexibility regarding the mosque and certain permissible activities.
- Where authentic evidence exists, it should be given precedence over weak or fabricated reports.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
