The last ten days of Ramadan is very significant to Muslims. It’s always a beehive of spiritual and other religious activities rounding off the obligatory 29 or 30 days long fast. Muslims are encouraged to use this period to go into Ihtikaf (seclusion) to solidify their relationship with Allah where they engage in prayers, Nawafils (non-obligatory prayer) seeking Allah’s mercy and asking for His forgiveness, studying the Quran, reflecting on their deeds, supplicating to Allah on all your desires, committing themselves to doing Ibadah (worship) regularly day and night like they have never done before. By doing these they obey the commandments of Allah (SWT), refrain from the things which He has prohibited and to be in His service.
Ihtikaf simply means when a person secludes himself in the Masjid in a specified manner in obedience to Allah (the Most High) away from the company of people. And he busies himself with obedience to Allah, devoting himself to Him (the Most High). Ihtikaf can be performed in any Masjid, even if it is a Masjid that does not establish Jumu’ah prayers. However, a Masjid that establishes Jumu’ah is better so that he is not compelled to leave the Masjid on Friday and has the facilities needed during Ihtikaf.
Some wealthy Muslims have made it a yearly affairs by using the period to visit the holy land for Umrah where they also embark on Ihtikaf at Haram in Mecca. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said observing Ihtikaf in either of Masaajid; Haram (in Mecca), Masjidul Nabawwi (in Medinah) and Masjidul Aqsa (in Jerusalem) is more rewarding than any other Masaajid.
It’s stated in a hadith narrated by Abu Dawood, 2473. “The Sunnah for the mu’takif is not to visit any sick person, or attend any funeral, or touch or be intimate with any woman, or go out for any reason except those which cannot be avoided.” But before you embark on this seclusion, there are some conditions that must be considered. These are the conditions for embarking on Itikaf:
(1) Intention (Niyyat): Ihtikaf must be performed for the purpose of seeking closeness to Allah and not to show off or due to societal, family or peer pressure.
(2) Fasting (Sawm) during Ihtikaf: The person who is not able to fast for whatever reason is deprived from this act of worship. Therefore, if a person is a traveler or one who is not able to fast due to some impediments, he cannot partake in Ihtikaf.
(3) Place: It must be done in a mosque that has the required facilities and where Jumat is observed. One must stay inside the Mosque for the entire period for his Ihtikaf to be correct.
Many wonder why Muslims despite the pressure of work, businesses, and ways of making ends meet for a jolly Ramadan, usually damn all the hindrances of worldly affairs and take a short break off work, businesses for Allah. Ihtikaf is loaded with rewards so much that you can’t imagine for those who really know the benefits inherent and are ready to maximize them in this period.
Ihtikaf is indeed a “Sunnah Muakkadah ‘ala l’kifayah” (emphasized Sunnah upon the community). This means it is not obligatory on every Muslim but if at least one person from the community performs it, the rest can be saved from the sin of discarding the Sunnah. It is a great mercy of Allah (SWT) that it is not mandatory for every Muslim. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult. Rather it is a Sunnah, keeping the necessities and ease of the common Muslims in mind, while the true seekers of the nearness of Allah (SWT) can benefit from this great Ibadah.
The real blessings of the most valuable moments of Ramadan can only be attained in Ihtikaf. Regardless of how enthusiastic a person is, he gets tired after sometime and the consistency of Ibadah stops. However, Ihtikaf is such an Ibadah that even if a person is not praying or engaged in any type of Zhikr(remembrance) while in the Masjid, he is still considered to be in Ibadah. Therefore, not a single moment of his time is wasted and he gets the reward of good deeds while simply sitting in the masjid. Therefore, Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrates a from the Messenger of Allah (s), “The Mu’takif (person performing Ihtikaf) is safe from sins and he is indeed given the same reward as those who do righteous deeds (in spite of not having done these deeds) as a result of being secluded in the Masjid”. (Ibn Maajah)
In another hadith the Messenger of Allah (s) said, “Whoever observes Ihtikaf for one day seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah creates between him and the fire of Hell, three trenches, the width of each greater than the distance between the heaven and the earth” (al-Mustadrak and at-Tabarani). It is also proved that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) did not miss Ihtikaf in his lifetime ever since the command for it was revealed. In another hadith, it is stated, “Whoever observes Ihtikaf for ten days of Ramadan, gets a reward equivalent to that of two Hajj and two Umrahs” (al-Baihaqi).
The Person doing Al-Itikaf must remain in the Masjid unless there is a need for him to leave the Masjid for example; to use the bathroom or go and take a Ghusl (spiritual bath) if he has a wet dream. The person performing Al-Ihtikaf doesn’t leave the Masjid to visit the sick or follow a prayer unless he made these two acts part of the condition of his Ihtikaf.
The Person performing Al-Itikaf invalidates it if he has sexual intercourse with his wife. Also included in this is kissing and hugging. However touching her without lustful intent then this is harmless. It is recommended while in Ihtikaf to occupy your time with acts of obedience and avoid all acts that don’t concern you. Also, there is no harm to talk about general things in our lives as long as it’s not haram (unlawful), Gheebah (backbite), tale carrying, talking about the faults of others.
There is a considerable spiritual refreshment and uplifting that comes due to spending a few days in this environment. The increased strength in Iman is clearly felt. In reality, one is fortune enough to perform ‘ibadah in Lailatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, due to his i’tikâf.
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The person who offered prayers to Allah in the Night of Majesty with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven” (Bukhari).
This holiest and most blessed night is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last 10 days of Ramadan and the reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship, equivalent to 83 years and 4 months (a person’s lifetime put together). Although the odd nights have been given a clue for locating the Night of Majesty, no one night has been fixed so that the yearning to find it may increase and people may spend more nights in worshipping Allah. This is the reason for Ihtikaf (seclusion) during the last 10 days of Ramadan so that we can locate the night and reap the benefits.
The night opens its gates of treasures; the angels with the permission of Allah descend with peace, more importantly, the blessing will dwell with us till Fajr.
”Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhib-bul af-wa, fa-afu anni”- is a generic supplication that is usually chanted at the Night of Majesty. It means: ‘O Allah!, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The person who offered prayers to Allah in the Night of Majesty with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven” (Bukhari).
This holiest and most blessed night is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last 10 days of Ramadan and the reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship, equivalent to a person’s lifetime put together.
Although the odd nights have been given a clue for locating the Night of Majesty, no one night has been fixed so that the yearning to find it may increase and people may spend more nights in worshipping Allah. This is the reason for Ihtikaf (seclusion) during the last 10 days of Ramadan so that we can locate the night and reap the benefits.
Ihtikaf is not compulsory upon every Muslim, but at least one person from every Muslim family should make an arrangement for it. Thus, the significance of this Ibadah will be revived among the Muslim communities and its positive effects will be felt by one and all, inshaa-Allah. Youths should especially make an intention to perform Ihtikaf because it will keep them away from many societal evils and will provide them an environment of a proper upbringing according to the Deen.
Therefore, before the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, all Masaajid (Mosques) should make special arrangements for this vital ‘ibadah, so that the awareness develops among Muslim communities and all masajid are filled up with performers of Ihtikaf.
The sunnah is to remain in Ihtikaf for ten days but as a minimum it can be one day and one night. I’tikaf is a great opportunity to reconnect with Allah in solitude. It is also a time to implement good religious practices which can be carried on throughout the whole year.
Ihtikaf ends immediately the new month of Shawwal is sighted. According to Imam Maliki School of Thought one may decided to stay in the Masjid till dawn and then proceed to the Eid Prayer after observing the Subhi prayer as that helps to complete ones rewards. After the Eid Prayer, one can go home.
May Allah (SWT) guide us all and help us in the pursuits of blessing at the last 10days of Ramadan, Amin!
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