Authored by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Question:
Kindly guide us regarding the Shari'ah perspective on I'tikaf and when it begins.
The person performing I'tikaf is called a Mu'takif, and the place of I'tikaf is termed as Mu'takaf. I'tikaf can be performed at any time during the year. There is evidence from the Prophet (PBUH) performing I'tikaf in the month of Shawwal, but he consistently observed I'tikaf during Ramadan.
Sayyidah Aisha (RA) reported:
«ان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الاواخر من رمضان حتى توفاه الله، ثم اعتكف ازواجه من بعده»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf in the Last Ten Days, 2026)
"The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul, and after him, his wives observed I'tikaf."
Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) narrated:
«ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف فى العشر الاوسط من رمضان، فاعتكف عاما حتى إذا كان ليلة إحدى وعشرين، وهى الليلة التى يخرج من صبيحتها من اعتكافه، قال: من كان اعتكف معي، فليعتكف العشر الاواخر»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf in the Last Ten Days, 2027)
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to perform I'tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan. One year, he performed I'tikaf as usual, but on the 21st night—when he would typically conclude his I'tikaf—he said: 'Whoever has performed I'tikaf with me should continue it in the last ten days.'"
«كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا اراد ان يعتكف صلى الصبح، ثم دخل المكان الذى يريد ان يعتكف فيه»
(Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on Initiating and Making Up I'tikaf, 1771; Nasai 710; Ahmad 24598)
"When the Prophet (PBUH) intended to perform I'tikaf, he would pray Fajr and then enter the place where he intended to perform I'tikaf."
➊ The First Opinion
I'tikaf begins with the sunset of the 20th of Ramadan, marking the start of the last ten days. Therefore, the Mu'takif should enter the mosque as the 21st night begins, engage in worship, recitation of the Qur'an, and remembrance of Allah, and then stay in the mosque after Fajr prayer to formally start their I'tikaf.
➋ The Second Opinion
Another opinion, based on Hadith, states that the Prophet (PBUH) would perform I'tikaf after praying Fajr, but the Hadith does not specify whether it was the Fajr of the 20th or the 21st. Scholars advocating this view suggest that the Mu'takif should begin I'tikaf after Fajr on the 20th of Ramadan. This ensures that the Mu'takif spends the 21st night—an odd night—seeking Laylat al-Qadr within the mosque.
This approach aligns with the Hadith narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA), where the Prophet (PBUH) instructed those who had performed I'tikaf in the middle ten days to continue it in the last ten days.
This method also reconciles both Hadiths by slightly extending the I'tikaf period by a few hours, which is permissible and beneficial. Wallahu A'lam (Allah knows best).
«ان عمر سال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: كنت نذرت فى الجاهلية ان اعتكف ليلة فى المسجد الحرام، قال: فاوف بنذرك»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf at Night, 2032)
"Sayyiduna Umar (RA) asked the Prophet (PBUH): 'I had vowed during the days of ignorance to perform I'tikaf for one night in the Sacred Mosque.' The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Fulfill your vow.'
This proves that I'tikaf for a shorter duration is also valid.
Question:
Kindly guide us regarding the Shari'ah perspective on I'tikaf and when it begins.
Definition and Essence of I'tikaf
Linguistically, I'tikaf means to stay firmly attached to something and to keep oneself engaged with it. In Shari'ah, I'tikaf refers to leaving all worldly matters and staying in the mosque with the intention of worship to seek the pleasure of Allah.The person performing I'tikaf is called a Mu'takif, and the place of I'tikaf is termed as Mu'takaf. I'tikaf can be performed at any time during the year. There is evidence from the Prophet (PBUH) performing I'tikaf in the month of Shawwal, but he consistently observed I'tikaf during Ramadan.
The Timing and Importance of I'tikaf in Ramadan
The Prophet (PBUH) performed I'tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadan, but the most virtuous I'tikaf is that of the last ten days of Ramadan. This is because the Prophet (PBUH) continued observing I'tikaf during the last ten days until his passing.Sayyidah Aisha (RA) reported:
«ان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الاواخر من رمضان حتى توفاه الله، ثم اعتكف ازواجه من بعده»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf in the Last Ten Days, 2026)
"The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul, and after him, his wives observed I'tikaf."
Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) narrated:
«ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف فى العشر الاوسط من رمضان، فاعتكف عاما حتى إذا كان ليلة إحدى وعشرين، وهى الليلة التى يخرج من صبيحتها من اعتكافه، قال: من كان اعتكف معي، فليعتكف العشر الاواخر»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf in the Last Ten Days, 2027)
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to perform I'tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan. One year, he performed I'tikaf as usual, but on the 21st night—when he would typically conclude his I'tikaf—he said: 'Whoever has performed I'tikaf with me should continue it in the last ten days.'"
How and When Does I'tikaf Begin?
Sayyidah Aisha (RA) narrated:«كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا اراد ان يعتكف صلى الصبح، ثم دخل المكان الذى يريد ان يعتكف فيه»
(Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on Initiating and Making Up I'tikaf, 1771; Nasai 710; Ahmad 24598)
"When the Prophet (PBUH) intended to perform I'tikaf, he would pray Fajr and then enter the place where he intended to perform I'tikaf."
Scholarly Opinions on I'tikaf Timing
There are two opinions regarding the commencement of I'tikaf:➊ The First Opinion
I'tikaf begins with the sunset of the 20th of Ramadan, marking the start of the last ten days. Therefore, the Mu'takif should enter the mosque as the 21st night begins, engage in worship, recitation of the Qur'an, and remembrance of Allah, and then stay in the mosque after Fajr prayer to formally start their I'tikaf.
➋ The Second Opinion
Another opinion, based on Hadith, states that the Prophet (PBUH) would perform I'tikaf after praying Fajr, but the Hadith does not specify whether it was the Fajr of the 20th or the 21st. Scholars advocating this view suggest that the Mu'takif should begin I'tikaf after Fajr on the 20th of Ramadan. This ensures that the Mu'takif spends the 21st night—an odd night—seeking Laylat al-Qadr within the mosque.
This approach aligns with the Hadith narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA), where the Prophet (PBUH) instructed those who had performed I'tikaf in the middle ten days to continue it in the last ten days.
Significance of Early Entry to the Mosque
It is preferable for the Mu'takif to enter the mosque in the morning of the 20th day of Ramadan, as this prepares their mind for the search for Laylat al-Qadr. Spending the 21st night inside the mosque ensures optimal devotion and avoids the potential shortfall of missing this blessed night outside the Mu'takaf.This method also reconciles both Hadiths by slightly extending the I'tikaf period by a few hours, which is permissible and beneficial. Wallahu A'lam (Allah knows best).
Shorter Periods of I'tikaf
I'tikaf can also be performed for a single day or night, as evidenced in the Hadith narrated by Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA):«ان عمر سال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: كنت نذرت فى الجاهلية ان اعتكف ليلة فى المسجد الحرام، قال: فاوف بنذرك»
(Bukhari, Abwab al-I'tikaf: Chapter on I'tikaf at Night, 2032)
"Sayyiduna Umar (RA) asked the Prophet (PBUH): 'I had vowed during the days of ignorance to perform I'tikaf for one night in the Sacred Mosque.' The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Fulfill your vow.'
This proves that I'tikaf for a shorter duration is also valid.