Today is 20th of Ramadhan 1444AH (11 April 2023)
Ramadhan Nuggets
I’tikaaf, the sunnah the Prophet (ﷺ) in the last ten days of Ramadhan to seek Laylatul Qadr
Narrated Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them):
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe i’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ الرَّازِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، رضى الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ .
Sahih Muslim 1171a
In a similar narration, Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that : the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to practice I‘tikāf in the last ten nights of Ramadhan until he passed away; then, his wives followed this practice after him.
Sahih al-Bukhari
NOTE 📝
1. I’tikaaf is when a person secludes himself in the Masjid 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). Allah’s Messenger ﷺ performed I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan hoping for the reward of Laylatul-Qadr (the night of Decree and Power).
2. With regard to entering the place of i’tikaaf, the majority of scholars (including the four imams Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy on them) are of the view that the one who wants to observe i’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan should enter his place of i’tikaaf before the sun sets on the night of the twenty-first i.e. from Maghrib later today (i.e. from the beginning of the night because the last ten days begin from sunset on the twentieth.), on Tuesday (since night comes before the day in Islamic counting).
O Allah, aid us in becoming righteous, grant us Taqwa so that we may do abundant good deeds during the month of Ramadhan and beyon … Ãmeen.
The activities for the last ten day began last night which was the first of the last ten nights in this year’s Ramadan. It shows this Ramadan is drawing to a close. As we embark on seclusion, we need to know the rules so as to avoid what can invalidate it.
We have lots of our brothers and sisters observing Itikaff in various masajid while some are still preparing to take less than ten days of Itikaf.
I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan in the Masjid is one of the most virtuous deeds and an excellent form of obedience. It is one of the most cherished tradition of the Prophet (s.a.w). It is a spiritual retreat. It is a recommended sunnah and not a compulsory act, that can be performed anytime.
A’ishah (r.t.a) said that the Prophet (s.a.w) used to observe I`tikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and that he continued this practice until his death. After him, his wives regularly carried on this practice of observing I`tikaf. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
It is recommended that every Muslim make at least one I`tikaf in his/her life.
It is mustahab for a person to begin his Itikaft before sunset. Although some scholars say you can enter Itikaf at Fajr, but the popular opinion is after fajr and before sunset.
Men should do I`tikaf in the Masjid so that they can pray in Jama`ah (congregation) and also offer the Friday prayers. Women can also do I`tikaf but she must seek the approval of her husband.
Conditions for Performing Al I’tikaf
1- Making intention
He who performs I’tikaf has to make the intention that he is staying inside the mosque to worship Allah in order to become closer to Him. This is in accordance with the statement of the Prophet (s.a.w) “Indeed, every action shall be judged according to intention.” [ Agreed upon.] In addition to this, he must confide in his wwife and members of the family that he is going on Itikaf and also leaving all the provisions and sustenance for them without any difficulty.
2- That the masjid in which he is performing i’tikaf is a masjid where jama’a (congregation) salah is performed. It is not permissible to perform it except in a masjid; “And do not have relations with them as long as you are in i’tikaf in masjids.” (Baqarah: 187)
This is because i’tikaf in a masjid in which there is no jama’a salah necessitates one to either abandon that salah, when it is obligatory for him to perform it, or to be forced to leave his i’tikaf repeatedly each time jama’a salah is due, which goes against the purpose of i’tikaf. It is valid for women, however, to observe i’tikaf in any masjid whether a masjid in which jama’a salah is held or not, that is provided that her i’tikaf does not lead to any fitna (sedition).
If fitna would result from her performing i’tikaf she must then be forbidden from doing so. It would be better if the masjid in which he performs i’tikaf is one in which Jumu’ah (Friday) salah is held. That, however, is not a condition for observing i’tikaf .
3- Being free from the state of major ritual impurity
It is thus not permissible for a man who has not yet purified himself from Janabah (ritual impurity), or a woman who is undergoing either post-natal or menstrual bleeding, to perform Al I’tikaf. This is because people from these two categories are not allowed to stay in the masjid at any time due to them being impure. Continues tomorrow insha Allah.
Salaam alaykum warahmatullah wanbaarakatuhu!
😊 How wonderful it feels to see that we are trying to be better this Ramadan Alhamdulillah! 🙏
Allah sees every single effort we do. Every little step towards getting closer to Him matters. We are all sinners and He Is the most forgiving, most merciful.
May Allah help us to repent and actively part ways with our bad habits as well as attain good ones. You’re doing great 👍🏼 Maasha Allah!
However, Let’s work towards becoming better muslims, not just during ramadan but even after ramadan. Inn sha’Allahu Rahman
May we be among those who will witness the Night of Majesty (laylatul qadr) A night better than a thousand months Allahu AkbAr!
