What is i'tikaf in Islam?
I'tikaf is an Islamic practice that involves staying in the mosque for a certain number of days, engaging in worship during these days, and staying away from worldly matters. I'tikaf is an important period of the last decade of Ramadan. I'tikaf is to retire from the hustle and bustle of daily life and stay in the mosque for worship. Basically, through Itikaf, a person attains perfection in the teachings and initiation of Ramadan and enjoys the welfare and blessings of Ramadan. I'tikaf is mustahabb at the personal level and kefaya at the Sunnat mu'akkadah at the social level. If no one in any society do i'tikaf, then everyone in the area will be guilty of not performing Sunnat.
Favorite
deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him) Itikaf: Itikaf is one of the favorite
deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He has done i'tikaf till death.
According to Ayesha, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
used to perform i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. This was the rule till
his death. Then his wives also used to perform i'tikaf in those days. (Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith: 2026)
Is i'tikaf only for the elderly?
The
general tendency of the present society is that only the elderly usually do
i'tikaf. There are many mosques where no one voluntarily agrees to perform
i'tikaf, then the poor and helpless people are placed in i'tikaf on behalf of the
society in exchange for money. This picture of society is undoubtedly sad. In
fact, the discipline and restraint that Itikaf brings in the life of a believer
are essential for all, teenagers, young and old. Itikaf can build a beautiful
relationship between the youth and the mosques in particular. So the
indifference of society toward Itikaf is really sad. Imam Zuhri (Rah.)
Said, wonder! How people have given up i'tikaf. The Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) used to do some deeds and give them up. But he never gave
up i'tikaf from his arrival in Medina until his death. (Ramadan Yubnil Qiyama,
page 44)
You May Know: The sins that have caused heavenly punishment
Why
it is necessary to prepare for Itikaf: Ata (Rah.) Said, the example of the
Itikaf performer is like that person, who needs a big person. As a result, he
sits at her door and says, "I am not loud until my needs are met." In
the same way, the one who does i'tikaf sits at the door of Allah and says,
"I am not silent until you forgive me." (Ramadan Yubnil Qiyama, page 44)
That
is, i'tikaf is a great opportunity to get forgiveness and welfare from Allah.
And it will be possible if the person starts i'tikaf after full preparation and
is able to use the time properly.
Types of i'tikaf
There
are three types of i'tikaf-
Sunnah: I'tikaf is performed in the last 10 days
of Ramadan.
Nafl: Itikaf can be done on any day/night of
the year. This is considered a voluntary act.
Wajib: If you have made a vow to perform
i'tikaf, then it is obligatory (Wajib). It can be a vow to Allah, such as the
intention or condition of doing i'tikaf. This means saying or thinking,
"If this happens, I will perform i'tikaf for a certain number of
days."
How to prepare for i'tikaf?
Since
the person performing i'tikaf cannot leave the mosque without a reason permitted
by the Shari'ah and has to stay in the mosque for a long time, the argument is
that the i'tikaf seekers should make the necessary preparations for i'tikaf in
advance. The following are some of the preparations:
i. Mental
preparation: The i'tikaf
performer must first prepare mentally for i'tikaf. The small change
in his normal life due to the location of the mosque has to be accepted. In
particular, one must be determined to turn the time of Itikaf into Ibadah.
ii. Purity of intention:
Itikaf will purify his intention beforehand. If there is any reason surrounding
i'tikaf, then it should be removed from the mind and the pleasure of Allah
should be given priority. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) said, ‘Allah accepts only those deeds which are done sincerely for Him and
through which His satisfaction is sought. (Sunan Nasai, Hadith: 3140)
iii.
Selection of mosques:
It is permissible for men to perform i'tikaf in any mosque. As if the person is
not afraid of missing the five daily prayers and Friday congregation. However,
during the selection of the mosque, the advantages and disadvantages of the
location of the mosque, security arrangements, provision of food supply and
collection, and adhu-bath arrangements can be considered. So that the incidental
factors do not hinder one from being engrossed in worship.
iv.
Avoid busyness: Itikaf
times need to be spent only to gain the pleasure of Allah. Therefore, personal
and worldly engagements should be ended before i'tikaf. As if you don't have to
be oblivious after starting i'tikaf.
v.
Collection of necessary furniture:
The person stays in the mosque during i'tikaf. So the furniture needed for the
location needs to be prepared in advance. For example, a bed pillow for sleeping,
necessary clothes, toilet tissue, soap, water container, plate-glass, and locks can
be given for storing valuables - such as bags or luggage, etc.
vi.
Caution for sick people:
Sick people must take the advice of a doctor before i'tikaf. People suffering
from infectious diseases should take special care while performing i'tikaf.
Those who take medicines regularly will collect the necessary medicines before
i'tikaf.
vii.
Scheduling: To make the
time stay in the mosque fruitful, the Itikaf performer can set a schedule
for the daily period. Inside which may be a recitation of the Qur'an, recitation of
dhikr and tasbih, recitation of Tahajjud and nafl prayers, recitation of books
related to rules and regulations of Shariah, etc.
Above
all, before i'tikaf, one must repent of one's sins. May Allah grant a pure life
through Itikaf. May Allah give everyone the tawfiq to do i'tikaf properly.
Which acts cancel i'tikaf?
Wrong
purpose: Itikaf is
considered to be a spiritual retreat to attain nearness to Allah through
devotional worship for an extended period of time. If someone only participates
in i'tikaf so that friends, family, and other colleagues see them doing it, then
i'tikaf will be canceled and it will not be accepted.
Leaving
the mosque: Once you
intend to stay in the mosque for i'tikaf, you will not be able to leave without
a valid reason. But if you go out completely without any good reason, your
whole body, then your i'tikaf will be canceled.
Sexual
intercourse: Although
it is permissible to have sexual intercourse with one's spouse outside the
period of fasting, such as after one's breaking the fast and before the Fajr
prayer, sexual intercourse and masturbation during i'tikaf are not allowed at
all. Deriving pleasure from the opposite sex in any way such as holding hands,
hugging, kissing, etc. is completely forbidden in the state of I’tikaf.
Menstrual
or postpartum hemorrhage:
If a woman has postpartum hemorrhage or is in her menstrual cycle, she is not
allowed to take part in i'tikaf. If a woman starts menstruating during i'tikaf,
she should leave the mosque quietly and not return until her period is over.
Sickness: If a person falls ill during i'tikaf,
then he must stop i'tikaf because it will no longer be valid or acceptable. The
person should stay home or return home to recover from the illness.
Becoming
a disbeliever: If a
person becomes a disbeliever in Islam or associates anything with Allah then
i'tikaf is annulled and he has to leave the mosque.
Arguing: It is not permissible to discuss world
affairs like politics, as it can lead to possible differences of opinion. This
cancels your Itikaf.
Fragrances: Perfumes worn by people wearing
perfumes and colognes or people around them for pleasure are nullified i'tikaf.
Any
sinful act: No matter
how small, one should abstain from all sins, big and small, during i'tikaf.
Itikaf is nullified if one commits any kind of sin.
Business transactions: This is not the time to conduct business transactions. Any business cancels i'tikaf. Itikaf is designed to focus on Allah and to give up worldly desires and trade outside the mosque.
0 Comments