بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
“In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
I’tikaaf is remaining in seclusion in the worship & remembrance of Allah ﷻ . It was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ till he passed away. After his death, his beloved wives acted upon this sunnah. I’tikaaf is also from the practice of Ibrahim (as) & other Prophets. Hadhrat Musa (as) was also called to mount toor for I’tikaaf of 40 days & even before prophethood, the Prophet ﷺ would spend a lot of time in seclusion.
Ruling No 1: Observing I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan is sunnah – e- muakkadah alal kifayah. This means that it is an emphasized sunnah, which is the duty of the whole community. If no one from the whole community observed I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan, the whole community would be sinful.
Ruling No 2: It’ikaaf starts on the 20th of Ramadhan (a little before sunset on the 20th) till the moon of Eid-ul- fitr is sighted.
Ruling No 3: For males, I’tikaaf will only have to be done in the masjid.
Ruling No 4: Women can designate a room in the house, generally where they pray. If that’s in the middle of the house where there will be noise or disturbance then she can seclude herself in another part of the house eg. the bedroom.
Ruling No 5: If a woman prays salaah in one portion of her home, but wants to make I’tikaaf in another portion of her home, then before sitting in I’tikaaf, she should make the intention that from now on she will pray salah in this place, then this will be correct and permissible for her to do so.
Ruling No 6: A big room cannot in its entirety be designated for I’tikaaf, but a small room can. However, a space comfortable enough for her to sleep, eat and sit can be designated in a big room for I’tikaaf. This area will be like the masjid for a woman. She cannot exit this area without a permitted excuse such as relieving herself or for the purpose of food and drink. If there is someone who can bring her food and drink, then it will not be permissible to leave for this purpose.
Ruling No 7: For males, I’tikaaf will only have to be done in the masjid.
Ruling No 8: Women can advise and guide others in regard to matters affecting the home. However they should not spend too much time in this and concentrate on Ibaadah instead.
Ruling No 9: It is permissible to sleep during I’tikaaf.
Ruling No 10: It is permissible to sleep on a bed in the place designated for I’tikaaf.
Ruling No 11: One may leave their place of I’tikaaf for the following reasons:
-To attend jummah (this is for men) if it doesn’t take place in the masjid they are in for I’tikaaf.
-To go to the toilet
-To go shower IF in the state of major ritual impurity.
-To get food if there’s no one to bring it to you.
-The need of the Mu’adhin to go out for the purpose of calling Adhân.
-To make wudhu when it is not possible to make wudhu while in the masjid.
-To move to another masjid in the event of leaking, etc. of the the masjid
Ruling No 12: If someone did leave the masjid/ place of I’tikaaf unnecessarily, the Itikaaf will break. It would be best to stay in I’tikaaf for the remaining 10 days & they will only have to make up for that one day. If they do not stay, then they will not need to do qadha (make up) for the rest of the days.
Ruling No 13: If a person performing I’tikaaf leaves for a valid Shar’i necessity, but after completing such a necessity, he waits or stays outside (the masjid) even for one moment, then the I’tikaaf will break.
Ruling No 14: It’s not permissible to have intercourse during I’tikaaf. This will break the ltikaaf.
Ruling No 15: Many people may not be able to perform I’tikaaf due to work commitments, house work etc, therefore they may perform nafl I’tikaaf instead of sunnah I’tikaaf. This would allow them to work during the day & do nafl l’tikaaf in the evening.
Ruling No 16: One’s sunnah I’tikaaf will also break if their fast breaks.
Ruling No 17 :Fasting is not a condition for Nafl I’tikaaf.
Ruling No 18: During I’tikaaf one should recite quraan, nafl prayers etc. It’s also a good time to make up qadha salaah (missed prayers).
Ruling No 19: According to need it will be permissible to have some wordly discussions, however, one should try and maintain the true spirit of I’tikaaf by turning towards Allah ﷻ and cutting oneself off from unnecessary wordly talk.
Ruling No 20: It is necessary for a woman to take permission off her husband before sitting in I’tikaaf. Husbands should not deprive their wives of I’tikaaf without a reason.
Ruling No 21: It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to perform I’tikaaf. Hence before starting, she should determine whether she will come on her menses during the days of I’tikaaf.
Ruling No 22: In a complete sunnah I’tikaaf, (which starts from sunset on the 20th of Ramadan until the crescent of Eid is sighted), if a woman gets her menstrual period then she will abandon her I’tikaaf.
However, she will be required to do qadha (make up) one day of l’tikaaf with fasting from sunset to sunset (24 hours). No matter when her complete sunnah I’tikaaf breaks (whether two days remain or eight days remain), the qadha will only be for 1 day. If she becomes clean while Ramadhan remains, she can complete this qadha of 1 day then and the fast of Ramadan will suffice her. If Ramadan has finished then she can make it up another day when she is making up her missed fasts, and if not then, then whenever she keeps a nafl (optional) fast.
Tayyibah Tree 