By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam
Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus
Siddiqi, New Age Islam
10 April 2023
The Nineteenth Lesson on the Virtues and Laws of
I’tikaaf
I'tikaaf is one of the unique religious observances of
Ramadan. In order to perform I'tikaaf, one should do it each time one
enters the mosque during the year. Nevertheless, in Ramadan, the joy and
benefit of performing I'tikaaf in the mosque with special settings is
something else entirely.
Virtues of I'tikaf in the Quran
Allah Almighty says,
“And We gave direction to Ibrahim and Ismail:
Purify My House for those who are to circumambulate (make Tawaf) or stay
in seclusion (do I’tikaaf) or bow and prostrate (in prayer)” (2:15)
Allah Almighty also says, “And do not be intimate
with (your) wives when you are performing I’tekaaf in the mosques’
[2:187]
It is evident from the first verse that I'tikaaf
is a form of worship that is not exclusive to the Ummah of Muhammad
(peace be upon him); it was also performed by the communities that existed
prior to this Ummah.
Virtues of I’tikaaf in Ahadith
It was narrated by the Mother of believers, Hazrat
Ayesha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) used to perform I’tikaaf during the last ten nights
of Ramadan. (Bukhari/Muslim)
Abu Dawud reports from her (Ayesha Siddiqa (may
Allah be pleased with him). She says:
"It is Sunnat (i.e. established by
Hadith) upon the Mu'takif (one practising I'tikaaf) that he
should neither go outside to visit the sick nor present himself in a Janaazah.
He should also refrain from touching or having a sexual relationship with a
woman. He shouldn't go out for anything other than what is absolutely
essential. I'tikaaf cannot be performed without fasting, and it must
take place in a mosque where Jama'at is held.” (Abu Dawud)
It was narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased
with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said concerning a Mu’takif;
“He abstains from sins and he receives such huge recompense from his good deeds
as if he has done all the good works”. (Ibn Majah)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is
reported to have said, “It is equivalent to performing two Hajjs and two
Umrahs for someone who has observed I'tikaaf for 10 days during
Ramadan.” (Baihaqi)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is
reported to have said, “A person who performed I'tikaaf with the
intention of getting reward out of sincere faith, then all his previous sins
will be forgiven.” (Jaame’ Saghir)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is
reported to have said, “I have spent the first ten nights in I’tikaaf
seeking this night [the night of Qadar], then I spent the middle ten
nights in I’tikaaf, and after that, I had a heavenly visitant and was
told that it is in the last ten, so he who has engaged in I’tikaaf along
with me should do so during the last ten nights...” (Sahih Muslim/Mishkaat)
Laws of I'tikaaf
I'tikaaf refers to staying in the mosque with the purpose
of doing so for Allah's sake. There are some prerequisites, including being a
Muslim, having a sound intellect (Aaqil), and being free of the vices of
Janaabat, Haidh, and Nifas. Being Baaligh (i.e.,
having reached puberty) is not a requirement, and I'tikaaf is acceptable
if it is performed by a Na-Baaligh who has a sense of understanding and
respect and enters the mosque with the intention of doing so. A bondsman may
also engage in I'tikaaf because being a free man is not a requirement. [Alamgiri/Durr-e-Mukhtar/
Raddul Muhtar]
Law: It is not a prerequisite for I'tikaaf
to be conducted in a Masjid-e-Jame' because it can also be done in a Masjid-e-Jamaat.
A Masjid-e-Jamaat is a Masjid where an Imam and Muazzin
have been appointed, even though the five daily prayers are not performed with Jamaat
there. I'tikaaf is entirely appropriate in any mosque, even if it is not
a Masjid-e-Jamaat. This is especially true in this day and age since
there are several Masjids of this type that lack both an Imam and a Muazzin.
[Raddul Muhtar]
Law: Females should perform I'tikaaf in
their homes rather than at Masjids since it is disapproved (Makruh)
to do so. She ought to conduct it in the "Masjid-e-Bayt,"
which she has designated as the location for her daily prayer. It is
recommended (Mustahab) for a woman to choose a location in the home for
her prayer. It is also recommended to have that area slightly raised, such as a
platform, in order to keep it pure and tidy. While it is preferable to conduct
the Nafil prayers at home, men should likewise designate a space in the
home for their Nafil prayers. [Durr-e-Mukhtar/Raddul Muhtar]
Law: A woman cannot do I'tikaaf at home if
she has not designated a distinct space for her prayers. But, if she planned to
do I'tikaaf at that time and has a specific location set aside for
prayer, she may do so there. [Raddul Muhtar/Durr-e-Mukhtar]
Law: The Waajib I'tikaaf forbids the Mu'takif
from leaving the mosque without a valid reason. Even if he forgetfully departs,
the I'tikaaf will be rendered invalid. Similarly, if he leaves the
mosque without a valid reason, the Sunnat I'tikaaf will also be
rendered invalid. In the same way, a woman who has performed the Waajib I'tikaaf
or Masnun I'tikaaf at the Masjid-e-Bayt is not allowed to
leave without a valid reason. Even if she might be in the same dwelling, the I'tikaaf
is nullified if she leaves that area. [Alamgiri/Raddul Muhtar]
A Mu'takif may leave the Mosque for either
one of two reasons: either natural needs (Haajat-e-Tab'i) or shari'ah
needs (Haajat-e-Shar'i).
Natural Needs (Haajat-e-Tab’i)
Natural needs are those that can't be met in the
mosque, such as urinating, cleaning up impurities, and performing Wuzu
or Ghusl. The inability to perform Wuzu or Ghusl inside
the mosque is a prerequisite for both Wuzu and Ghusl. This
inability implies that the Mutakif has nothing within the mosque to gather
water for Wuzu or Ghusl and that he is unable to prevent even one
drop of water from falling inside, given that it is prohibited to drop water
for Wuzu or Ghusl inside a mosque. However, it is not permitted
for him to leave the mosque if there is a basin, mug or jug etc available in
the mosque and he can perform Wuzu in it without a single drop falling
into the mosque. The I'tikaaf will be invalid if he departs in this
predicament. He will also not be allowed to leave the mosque if there is a designated
area in the building for Wuzu or Ghusl, or if a pond (Hauz)
is situated there. (Durr-e-Mukhtar)
Shari’ah needs (Haajat-e-Shar’i)
The Shari’ah needs include going out for Eid or
Jummah etc.
Law: If the Mu’takif had to go to answer the
call of nature, he should come back right away after performing ablution. He is
not allowed to stay there. If the Mu'takif has two homes, one of which
is close by and the other far away, he ought to go to the one that is nearby. [Alamgiri/Raddul
Muhtar]
Law: if the Mu’takif went to visit a sick
person or to join the funeral prayer, then his I’tikaaf will be rendered
invalid. [Alamgiri]
Law: The Mu’takif is required to eat, drink
and sleep inside the mosque. If he goes out of the mosque for these needs, his I’tikaaf
will be invalidated. (Durr-e-Mukhtar)
Law: If the mosque has a courtyard, it is
absolutely permissible for the Mu'takif to come, go and sit in the
courtyard. He is also permitted to come and go on the roof of the mosque, but
only when access to the roof is available from inside the mosque. If the stairs
leading to the roof are located outside the courtyard of the mosque, the Mu'takif
is not permitted to go to the roof. If he climbs the roof from the outside,
the I'tikaaf will be invalid. It should also be remembered that it is makruh
for both Mu'takif and non-Mu'takif to climb the roof of the
mosque unnecessarily (Faizan-e-Sunnah 396).
(Continued)
Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also
lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president,
founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Darul
Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in
Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah
Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina
Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti
in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of
the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder
of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi
Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
Previous Articles:
Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Welcome to Ramadan and
First Lesson on the Virtues of Ramadan
Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Second Lesson on the Respect of Ramadan –
Part 2
Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Third Lesson On The
Horrific Consequences Of Desecrating Ramadan – Part 3
Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Fourth Lesson on the
Fasting Of Ramadan and its Intention – Part 4
Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Seventh Lesson On Sehri [Pre-Dawn Meal] Part
7
Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Eighth Lesson on Iftar –
Part 8
Thirty
Lessons of Ramadan: Ninth Lesson on Rulings and Laws Related to Fasting – Part
9
Thirty
Lessons Of Ramadan: Tenth Lesson On Rulings And Laws Related To Fasting – Part
10
Thirty
Lessons of Ramadan: Twelfth Lesson on Rulings Related to Qazaa, Kaffarah and
Fidyah – Part 12
Thirty
Lessons of Ramadan: 13th Lesson on Rulings of Kaffarah and Fidyah – Part 13
Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Zakaat in the Light
of the Quran and Hadith – Part 17
The
Rulings and Laws of Zakaat: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan - Part 18
URl: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/virtues-laws-itikaaf-ramadan-part-19/d/129521
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