What is Itikaf? How To Perform Itikaf in Ramadan?

In this article, we will discuss everything about Itikaf in Islam to help you understand what Itikaf is and all details related to it in Islamic Shari’ah.

Here we will learn the following:

What is Itikaf?
Is Itikaf compulsory?
Who may do Itikaf?
How to do Itikaf?
What is Itikaf in Ramadan?
What are the Rules of Itikaf?
What You can’t do during Itikaf?
Itikaf Rules for females
Is it compulsory to make up for missed Itikaf?
What are the Virtues and benefits of Itikaf?
Conclusion

What is Itikaf?

Itikaf in Arabic means seclusion for a period of time in a certain place. Itikaf meaning in Shari’a is an Islamic practice; making an intention and secluding oneself by staying in a Masjid for a specified period of time, long or short, devoting oneself to ‘Ibadah (worship acts).

Is Itikaf compulsory?

Itikaf is generally not compulsory. But there are three rulings for Itikaf: It may be Sunnah Mu’akkadah or Mustahabah (a voluntary deed following the Sunnah of the Messenger PBUH) or Nathr (a vow), in which case it is obligatory to fulfill it as vowed.

1. Evidence of Itikaf in Hadith:

‘A’isha (RAA) narrated, ’The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until he died. Then his wives used to perform I’tikaf after his death.’ Al-Bukhari and Muslim

2. Evidence of Itikaf in Quran:

Allah SWT says:

“… And We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who circle it, who do Itikaf in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves ˹in prayer˺.
وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَـٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ” …”
(2:125)

He SWT also says:

“… Do not be intimate with your spouses while you are doing Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not exceed them. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to people, so they may become mindful ˹of Him˺“
” …. وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ “
(2:187)

Who may do Itikaf?

Any Muslim do Itikaf when he/she is an adult, pure of major impurities (sex Janabah – menses – postpartum bleeding), and intending to devote some time for worship in a masjid. It is very important to note that a Muslim woman needs the permission of her husband to do Itikaf.

How to do Itikaf?

One can choose a place in a Masjid to stay at for some time after making an intention to do Itikaf. The staying place should not interfere with congregation Salah. Most scholars have the opinion that the Masjid should be a one where all five Salaht and Jumu’ah are done in Jama’ah (congregation).

The length of Itikaf time is up to one’s intention. It may be either for the length of one Salah, a night, a day or several nights and days, it’s up to the Muslim’s intention.

What is Itikaf in Ramadan?

Itikaf in Ramadan is the same as the usual Itikaf (Making the intention and staying at a masjid) but done during Ramadan. It is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah) to do Itikaf for the last ten days and nights of Ramadan.

Abu Hurairah (RAA) reported:

The Prophet (PBUH) used to observe I’tikaf every year (during Ramadan) for ten days; in the year in which he passed away, he observed I’tikaf for twenty days.
(Al-Bukhari)

Scholars agreed that one enters the Masjid before Fajr of the twentieth day of Ramadan and exits after Maghrib of the last day of Ramadan or even better after Fajr or Eid Salah.

What are the Rules of Itikaf?

What can a Mu’takif Muslim (Muslim in Itikaf) do and cannot do during Itikaf according to Islamic Shari’ah? Here are the dos and dents during Itikaf:

What You can do during Itikaf?

Mu’takif can certainly do all Jama’ah Salaht, Jumu’ah Salaht and lots of Du’aa (Supplication).
One can eat, drink, sleep go to the bathroom, having Ghusl (major purification) or get something that’s urgently needed.
It is highly rewarded to provide food and drink for those Muslims who are in Itikaf.
A Mu’takif should keep his time fully occupied with all ‘Ibadah that would please His Lord: Salah, Quran recitation, Thikr (remembrance of Allah), Tawbah (repentance), learning and studying, e.g. about Shari’a, fiqh, Allah, and Islamic history etc.
A Mu’takif can do Janazah prayer and follow to the burial as well.
During Itikaf it is permissible to make or witness contracts, a marriage contract, partnerships, buying or selling.
One can go by to visit a sick person but not go into the house unnecessarily.
Sawm (fasting) during Itikaf: It is okay and rewarded by Allah to fast during Itikaf but if one chooses not to fast it is not sinful.

Can a woman talk to her husband during Itikaf and deal together?

Certainly yes. He can deal with his wife in regular matters during Itikaf.

‘Urwa reported it from ‘A’isha (RAA) said:

“The Messenger of Allah PBUH inclined his head towards me (from the Masjid) while I was in my apartment and I combed it while I was in a state of menstruation.”
(Muslim)

12. He can escort his wife back home after bringing him some food or such and go back to the Masjid.

Narrated `Ali bin Al-Husain:

Safiya, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH) told me that she went to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) to visit him in the Masjid while he was in I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
She had a talk with him for a while, then she got up in order to return home. The Prophet (PBUH) accompanied her.
Al-Bukhari

What You can’t do during Itikaf?

Some do invalidate Itikaf altogether so, be careful.
Leaving the Masjid for no valid reason invalidates Itikaf.
Riddah: If one apostates; his /her Itikaf is invalidated because he/she is no longer a Muslim.
Absence of the mind as in a coma, madness or intoxication invalidate Itikaf.
Major impurity as in having sex, masturbation, menses and postpartum bleeding time, all invalidate Itikaf.
Having quarrels or fights, or disturbing others in Itikaf.

Itikaf Rules for females

Women have the same rules to Itikaf as men have but with some added guidelines:

A Muslim woman should be in Hijab and not amongst men in the Masjid.
She should not be in a state of major impurity due to sex Janabah, menses or postpartum bleeding and if she starts her Itikaf ends right then.
Itikaf for women can be done at home selecting a corner where she won’t be disturbed and can worship in peace.
She needs the permission of her husband or guardian to do I’tilaf either in Masjid or at home.

Is it compulsory to make up for missed Itikaf?

It is compulsory to make up missed Itikaf only if it was a vowed Itikaf. We have evidence in this hadith that vowed Itikaf should be fulfilled as it is a kind where a Muslim obliged himself to do it as an obedience for his Lord. In it the Messenger PBUH commanded Umar RAA to make up a missed Itikaf and Sawm that he vowed to fulfil.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) took a vow in the pre-Islamic days to spend a night or a day in devotion near the Ka’bah (in the sacred mosque). He asked the Prophet (PBUH) about it. He said: Observe i’tikaf (i.e. spend a night or a day near the Ka’bah) and fast.

What are the Virtues and benefits of Itikaf?

Itikaf is a great prescribed obedience that aims, as all acts of worship obligatory and voluntary, to please Allah, gain His rewards and to draw a Muslim closer to His Creator.

We have no Sahih or Hasan Hadiths on the virtues and benefits of Itikaf that can be relied on. Imam Abu Dawud said: I said to Ahmad (i.e., Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal): Do you know anything about the virtue of Itikaf? He said: No, except something weak.

That being said, there are several weak hadiths on the virtues of Itikaf that can be found “Collectively” giving the idea of the importance of Itikaf and how greatly it is rewarded. For example:

Ibn ‘Abbas narrated: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever observes Itikaf for one day seeking thereby the Face of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Fire three ditches wider than the distance between the east and the west.” Al-Albani in al-Silsilah al-Da’ifah

‘Aishah RAA narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever observes Itikaf out of faith and in the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” Al-Albani in Da’if al-Jami’

Ibn ‘Abbas RAA narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said concerning the person who observes Itikaf: “He is refraining from sin and he will be given a reward like that of one who does all kinds of good deeds.” Al-Albani in Da’if Ibn Majah

Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (RAA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever observes i’tikaf for ten days in Ramadan, that will be equivalent to two Hajjs and two ‘Umrahs.” Al-Albani in al-Silsilah al-Da’ifah

Conclusion

Itikaf is a great act of worship and an obedience done in submission to Allah that aims, as all acts of worship obligatory and voluntary, to please Him, gain His rewards and to draw a Muslim closer to His Creator.

Itikaf is best done during the Last ten days of Ramadan, following the confirmed Sunnah of the Messenger PBUH, when rewards are multiplied for all good deeds. Muslim women can do Itikaf as well with the permission of the husband and even may be at home according to Muslim scholars.

May Allah accept from all of us and reward us all with the Highest of Heavens Ameen.

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