Itikaf – A Great Sunnah
Itikaf is a Sunnah that Allah (swt) gave us during the month of Ramadan. It is a way to heal the wounds of the soul and complete the benefits of fastingin Ramadan. It involves spending the last ten nights of Ramadan in spiritual retreat, praying to Allah (swt) for forgiveness and blessings. During Itikaf, we disconnect from our usual daily activities and focus solely on our spiritual devotion.
Although performing Itikaf is not obligatory, it is highly encouraged in Islam. The most recommended form is during the last ten days of Ramadan since the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) consistently observed Itikaf during these days. It is an excellent opportunity to sit, reflect, and reconnect with Allah (swt) in a meaningful way.
Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) said:
“Whoever observes Itikaf with me is to observe Itikaf during the last ten nights.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
What is Itikaf and its History in Islam?
To start Itikaf, you can begin after sunset on the 20th day of Ramadan and conclude it when the moon for Eid is sighted. The term Itikaf comes from the Arabic word “I’tikaf,” which means staying in a specific place with dedication and commitment.
If you want to read about very beautiful Islamic Event, read our blog post on Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: From Fasting to Feasting.
It is highly recommended in Islam, as Hazrat Aisha (RA) reported about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that:
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I’tikaf after him.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
Before the beginning of deen-e-Islam, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) engaged in a form of solitude and spiritual retreat in the Cave Hira. He (saw) used to spend days and nights in the cave, meditating and worshipping Allah (swt). This was the place where he (saw) received the first revelation of the Quran from Angel Jibreel (AS). The cave is now a sacred site for Muslims, who visit it to seek blessings and inspiration.
Significance of Itikaf in Ramadan
Itikaf is a practice of great significance in Islam, as it is a Sunnah act that was performed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. It is a voluntary act of worship that you can perform in the last ten days of Ramadan, the most blessed month of the year. During this period, you willingly seclude yourself in the mosque (while women do it at home), dedicating your time to intense worship, prayer, and deep reflection. You keep away from sins and worldly distractions and focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah and His forgiveness. You raise your degree of faith and piety and protect yourself from the fire of Hell.Â
Read our about The Do’s and Don’ts During Ramadan for Muslims.
Itikaf not only encourages you to be self-disciplined and introspective but also serves as a dedicated time for seeking forgiveness and repentance. You utilize this period to reflect on your actions, strive for self-improvement, and seek a fresh start through sincerely asking for divine forgiveness. You also hope to witness the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), which is better than a thousand months and in which Allah decrees the destiny of His creation.
Additionally, despite the individual nature of Itikaf, it fosters a sense of community and togetherness among Muslims. Muslim Ummah come together for worship, strengthening the unity within the community. We support each other, share our meals, and learn from each other. We also pray for the peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah and for the guidance and mercy of Allah.
Benefits of Itikaf in Ramadan
Itikaf is an excellent opportunity for you to purify your soul, increase your good deeds, and attain the rewards of Ramadan. It is a means of drawing closer to Allah and of achieving His love and pleasure. It is a way of following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and of reviving a noble tradition of Islam. Itikaf is a blessing that you should not miss if you are able to do it.
Dua for Itikaf
The dua for niyyat of the Itikaf is a supplication that a person recites before entering into the state of Itikaf.
The dua for niyyat of the Itikaf also acknowledges the fact that the person who performs Itikaf is dedicating himself or herself to the worship and service of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) and is seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
Itikaf for Men and Women
Itikaf is a practice that both men and women can perform to enhance their spirituality and devotion during the blessed month of Ramadan. It is a way of isolating ourselves from worldly distractions and focusing on Allah’s (swt) remembrance and worship. Before we start Itikaf, we should make our intention for Allah’s (swt) pleasure and approval. You can also read our blog post, “Making sincere intentions for Muslims is most important,” to learn more about this topic.
However, there are some differences in how men and women observe Itikaf based on gender-specific considerations. There are also some rules that we should follow throughout the period of Itikaf. Here are some of them:
Itikaf for Men:
Men can choose to do Itikaf for different lengths of time, depending on their availability and preference. The practice of Itikaf is based on the Sunnah (traditions) of Hazrat Muhammad (saw), who used to do Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
- Men have to do Itikaf in a Masjid, where they can also join the five daily prayers in the congregation. It is not valid for men to do Itikaf anywhere else, such as at home or in a public place.
- Men should dedicate their time in Itikaf solely to worship, including additional prayers (Tahajjud), recitation of the Quran, and reflection on their spiritual journey. They should avoid any unnecessary activities or conversations that may distract them from their purpose.
- Men should fast throughout the time of Itikaf during Ramadan, as fasting is the third pillar of Islam and a means of attaining righteousness and forgiveness.
- Men are not allowed to leave the Masjid during Itikaf, except for essential needs such as using the restroom or taking a shower (these facilities are usually accessible inside the boundary of mosques). They should not visit their families or friends or engage in worldly affairs.
Itikaf for Women:
Women can also do Itikaf to gain rewards and be close to Allah (swt). For women, the approach to Itikaf is more flexible. They can do Itikaf at home, in a designated area where they can worship without disturbance. They do not have to do Itikaf in a Masjid, as this may cause inconvenience or hardship for them.
- Women should do Itikaf with their husbands’ permission if they are married. Taking permission is to ensure harmony and cooperation in the family and to avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings.
- Women should allocate a specific space for Itikaf at home, where they can do all the worship. This space should be quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions or interruptions. They should not use this space for other purposes during Itikaf, such as sleeping or eating.
- Women should stop Itikaf if they get menstruation, as this is a state of impurity that prevents them from performing prayers and other acts of worship. They should resume Itikaf after they become pure and make up the missed days later.
- Women should avoid unnecessary talking with others during Itikaf, as this may reduce the quality and sincerity of their worship. They should only speak when it is beneficial or required, such as to seek knowledge or to give advice.
Important Note for Women in Itikaf
According to the majority of scholars, women can do i’tikaf at home. However, this does not mean that they can do whatever they want in their home or neglect their worship and devotion. Therefore, women should avoid doing any chores that are not necessary or urgent, such as cooking and cleaning, during their itikaf. They should only do what is indispensably required, such as making ablution, eating, drinking, or taking care of their children. They should not spend too much time on these tasks or let them interfere with their worship and remembrance.
Itikaf at Home: Guidelines and Tips
Here are some guidelines and practical tips for setting up a conducive space for Itikaf at home:
- Choose a quiet and secluded area in your home for Itikaf. Make sure there are minimal distractions and create an atmosphere that helps you worship and reflect.
- Tell your family members that you intend to observe Itikaf at home and ask for their support and understanding.
- Make a daily schedule that includes dedicated time for prayers, Quranic recitation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and other acts of worship.
- Set specific spiritual goals for your Itikaf at home, such as increasing your Quranic understanding, improving your prayer quality, or seeking self-improvement.
- Follow the regular Islamic rituals, including the five daily prayers and additional prayers like Tahajjud.
- Avoid engaging in non-essential activities, social media, and entertainment during Itikaf to keep your focus on spirituality.
- Seek help from your family in managing household responsibilities so that you can fully engage in Itikaf activities.
Rules and Etiquette of Itikaf
Observing Itikaf is not just about staying in a place but also following specific rules and etiquette that enhance the quality and reward of this worship. Here are some of the rules and etiquette of Itikaf that we should keep in mind:
Maintaining Ritual Purity (Taharah)
We should perform ablution (wudu) and keep ourselves in a state of ritual purity throughout Itikaf. Before entering into the state of I’tikaf, we should also perform a ghusl (ritual bath) if we are in a state of major impurities, such as after sexual intercourse or menstruation. Ritual purity is essential for performing prayers and reciting the Quran, which are the main activities of Itikaf.
For more exploration of purity, you can visit our blog post, Ghusl in Islam: The Ritual and Spiritual Purity.
Avoiding Idle Talk
We should minimize idle talk and engage in meaningful conversations that benefit our faith and knowledge. Person sitting in Itikaf should avoid gossip, backbiting, lying, arguing, and other harmful speech that can ruin our Itikaf. He should also focus on spiritual activities and reflection, and use our tongue to remember Allah (SWT) and recite Holy Quran as much as possible.
Increasing Acts of Worship
We should dedicate time to increased acts of worship, including regular prayers, Tahajjud prayer, recitation of the Quran, dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty), and Dua (supplications).
We should also try to complete the reading of the Quran at least once during Itikaf, as this is a highly rewarding deed. Dua is a heartfelt communication with Allah (SWT) in which we express our needs, desires, hopes, and gratitude. We should make Dua for ourselves, our families, our friends, our community, and the whole Ummah.
For more exploration about Dua, visit our blog post Importance of Dua in Islam.
Staying in a Designated Area
We should remain within the designated area for Itikaf, whether in the mosque or a specified location at home for women. We should only leave this area for essential needs, such as using the bathroom, performing wudu, or getting food and water. It is also obvious that we should not go out for worldly affairs, such as shopping, visiting friends, or attending social events. We should also only allow people to enter our Itikaf area if they are there for a religious purpose, such as teaching or learning. We should respect the sanctity and privacy of our Itikaf and not disturb others who are also observing it.
Reflecting on Sins and Seeking Forgiveness
We should use the time for introspection, reflect on our past actions, and seek forgiveness for any sins that we have committed. We should make sincere repentance and resolve to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Muslims can ask Allah Almighty for forgiveness by repeatedly doing Istighfar and saying Astaghfirullah.
We should also ask forgiveness from those whom we have wronged or hurt and forgive those who have wronged or hurt us.
Can We Talk During Itikaf?
As mentioned above, we should primarily focus on worship when we observe i’tikaf, but we can also briefly speak with others or receive visitors. However, we should keep these conversations in a quiet voice to avoid distracting those who are engaged in prayer, Quran reading, or remembrance of Allah (swt) in the mosque.
Itikaf and Qiyam-ul-Layl
During Itikaf, we are encouraged to intensify our prayers, and one of the most important acts of worship is Qiyam-ul-Layl or the night prayer. Qiyam-ul-Layl serves as a key component in this heightened devotion, as it allows us to stand before Allah (swt) in the last third of the night when He is most attentive to our supplications.
Read more about 10 Amazing Facts About Qiyam ul Layl.
The nights during Itikaf are especially significant, as they provide a unique spiritual ambiance, fostering a deep connection with Allah (swt). These nights are believed to hold the potential for Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, a night described in the Quran as better than a thousand months. On this night, Allah (swt) decrees the fate of His creation for the next year, and accepts the prayers of those who sincerely seek His pleasure.
In Islam, Laylat al-Qadr is a very important night, and we should strive to catch it by performing Qiyam-ul-Layl and other acts of worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan. We also have a dedicated article that describes what makes Laylat al-Qadr so special.
Final Words: Itikaf and Community Spirit
As we wrap up, remember that Itikaf is a remarkable time to get closer to Allah (SWT) and find inner peace. It’s a chance to take a break from everyday life and focus on prayer and reflection. Whether you’re doing Itikaf for the first time or it’s part of your Ramadan routine, we’d love to hear about your experiences. Sharing your story can inspire others in our community. If you have questions or want to learn more about Ramadan, check out our blog. We’ve got many helpful posts on topics like Qiyam-ul-Layl, Suhoor and Iftar practices and the importance of Laylat al-Qadr.
Let’s support each other in this meaningful practice. Please share your thoughts and experiences with Itikaf, and let’s grow together in faith this Ramadan.
