Lesson 4 – I’tikaaf

What is Itikaf? The literal Itikaf meaning is derived from the Arabic root word ‘Akafa,’ which means ‘to adhere, to cling, to stick or to keep.’ It also means ‘to engage or devote something to another thing which may be good or bad. According to Lisaanul, ‘ Arab, it means ‘to fully attach oneself to something. It is also one of the worships performed in Ramadan.

It means sitting in the Masjid for a particular duration of time during Ramadan. It is to stay away from all worldly affairs to worship Allah in peace.

Sunnah or Fardh?

It is not a compulsory act. It is Sunnah and therefore is full of rewards.

Objectives of Performing Itikaf

• It is performed to seek out Laylatul Qadr. The night better than a thousand months.
• It is performed in solitude to get closer to Allah and win His blessings.
• Its benefits include increasing Taqwa (Piety and God Consciousness)
• To increase the recitation of the Quran to seek Allah’s blessings.
• To do Adhkaar and all actions that increase one’s level of Taqwa.
• To give up worldly desires and joys for the sake of Almighty Allah (SWT)
• To fully utilize the opportunities to pray more to Allah (SWT) and offer more nawafil.
• To supplicate to Allah and beg for his forgiveness.
• To assist oneself in fasting in a superior manner, i.e., the person can strive to adhere to every Sunnah of fasting while observing it.

Conditions

There are certain conditions of every kind of worship. If these conditions are not fulfilled, the worship may become invalidated. Let us take a look at these conditions:

• Leaving the Masjid without a valid reason. The valid reasons include emergency medical requirements or to relieve oneself.
• Sexual intercourse with one’s wife. As this worship is about giving up your desires and worldly joys, therefore sexual intercourse with one’s wife is also not allowed. Itikaf in Quran is mentioned:

“Do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat in the Masjid.” (Al Qur’an 2:187)

• Menstruation and postnatal bleeding also invalidate Itikaf.
• Itikaf is all about worshipping Allah to attain his blessings. Committing any major sin during Itikaf will invalidate the Itikaf as committing a major sin is against the will of Allah.
• Losing sanity. One may lose his sanity due to a number of reasons like mental illness, drugs, alcohol, or medication.
• Shirk, Kufr, and apostasy are also the major sins that invalidate it.

An interesting point to consider about the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) was:

“While Observing Itikaf, Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) Never Entered His House Unless There Was A Need. From The Masjid, He Would Put His head Into The House And His Wife’ Aaishah (Ra)Would Comb And Oil His Hair.”