Itikaaf: a forsaken Sunnah

Do you have questions about Itikaaf? Sumaira Dada offers the answers.

Ramadan for most people is a festive time. I remember when my brother used to plead with my parents to spend the night at the local mosque, where his friends were observing Itikaaf. Together they had plans to enjoy themselves - away from the watchful eye of their parents. Being children, they can be forgiven for taking Itikaaf as a time to have fun. However, it is distressing to find adults observing Itikaaf and yet not realizing the seriousness of the Ibadah. Moreover, many people have simply given up this Sunnah. Through this article, we hope to encourage Muslims to observe Itikaaf and to clarify some of the misconceptions, which might be preventing them from observing this Sunnah.

Itikaaf in the Quran and Ahadeeth

Itikaaf means staying in the mosque to worship Allah (swt). It has been prescribed by Allah (swt) in the Quran and is a Sunnah of the Prophet (saw). In the Quran, Allah (swt) says: “…and We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Kabah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (Itikaaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).” (Al-Baqarah 2:125)

There are many Ahadeeth, which tell us that the Prophet (saw) observed Itikaaf. According to a Hadeeth of Aisha (rtaf), the Prophet (saw) used to observe Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, until Allah (swt) took his soul. His wives observed Itikaaf after he was gone. (Bukhari and Muslim)

What is the purpose of Itikaaf?

One of the greatest aims of this form of worship is to seek the Night of Power (Laylat ul-Qadr), which is one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is also a time for conversing with Allah (swt) by offering Salah, reading the Quran and engaging in Dhikr.

When can we observe Itikaaf?

The best time to observe it is during the last ten days of Ramadan. We know from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (rta) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to observe Itikaaf for the last ten days every Ramadan, and in the year, in which he passed away, he observed Itikaaf for twenty days. (Bukhari) However, it is also proven that the Prophet (saw) observed it during ten days of Shawwal (Bukhari). Therefore, one can observe it at any time of the year. Being in a state of fast is also not a condition for observing Itikaaf.

Length of Itikaaf

There are differences among scholars regarding the minimum length of Itikaaf, ranging from a moment to one day. We can find the grounds for this in a Hadeeth of the Prophet (saw), where he allowed Omar (rta) to observe Itikaaf for one night in Masjid al-Haram, in order to fulfil a vow. (Bukhari)

The maximum number of days that the Prophet (saw) observed Itikaaf was thirty. We know this from a Hadeeth narrated by Abu Saeed al-Khudri (rta): The Messenger of Allah (saw) observed Itikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadan, then he observed Itikaaf during the middle ten days in a small tent, at the door of which was a reed mat. He took the mat in his hand and lifted it. Then he put his head out and spoke to the people, and they came close to him. He said: “I observed Itikaaf during the first ten days seeking this night, then I observed Itikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came and said to me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wishes to observe Itikaaf, let him do so.” (Muslim)

Where do we stay for Itikaaf?

According to the scholars, Itikaaf is only valid if observed in a mosque, where congregational prayers are held, because Allah (swt) said: “And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaaf (i.e., confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques.” (Al-Baqarah 2:187) Being in a mosque cuts off a person from worldly activities and allows him to focus on worship.

Women must also observe Itikaaf in the mosque. However, it is not necessary that congregational prayers be held there, for it is not obligatory upon women to offer prayers in congregation. According to Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen, a woman may observe Itikaaf so long as there is no fear of Fitnah (temptation), such as happens in Masjid al-Haraam because there is no separate place for women there.

Taking breaks during Itikaaf

According to Aisha (rta), “The Sunnah is for the Mutakif not to visit any sick person, or attend any funeral, or touch his wife or be intimate with her, or to go out for any purpose, except those which cannot be avoided.” (Abu Dawood) Ibn Qudamah says that for everything that he cannot do without and cannot do in the mosque, the Mu’takif may go out. This does not invalidate his Itikaaf, as long as he does not take a long time to do it. He is, therefore, allowed to leave the mosque for food and drink, and to relieve himself.

How do women perform Itikaaf?

Women will perform Itikaaf in the same manner as men. However, married women need to seek permission from their husbands to perform Itikaaf. We know that Aishah (rta) asked Prophet (saw) for permission to observe Itikaaf and he gave her permission; then Hafsah (rta) asked Aisha (rta) to ask for permission for her and she did so. (Bukhari)

Itikaaf: a forsaken Sunnah

It is sad to note that in this day and age, many Muslims have forsaken this Sunnah. It seems that we find it very difficult to cut ourselves off from the world even for a short time. It is time we ponder on our keenness for Paradise and reassess our faith.