𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 23 | 23 Sha’bān 1444H

The third topic which the scholars discuss under the book of Ṣiyām is: Al-I’tikāf. So this is what we'll cover in this lesson inshaAllah. This lesson will be presented in a Q&A format. ➢ 1. What is I’tikāf? • Linguistically: to attach or commit oneself to something • Legislatively: Confining oneself to the masjid in obedience to Allāh. 💡Benefit: If a person says I will seclude myself at home and not go out in order to avoid Fitnah, this is not I’tikāf according to the legislative definition, rather this is called Al-’Uzlah. [Sheikh ’Uthaymīn, Sharḥ Al-Mumti’] ➢ 2. What is the ruling of I’tikāf? • I’tikāf is Sunnah (a person is rewarded for performing it, but if they leave if off there is no sin upon them). • Its prescription is proven by Qur'ān, Sunnah and Ijmā’. • Proof from the Qur'ān: Allāh said (translated meaning): “We commanded Ibrāhīm and Ismā’īl to purify My House for those who circle it, those who remain therein in I’tikāf, and those who bow and prostrate themselves ˹in prayer˺.” [Baqarah 125] • Proof from the Sunnah: ’Ā'ishah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhā said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to observe I’tikāf during the last ten days of Ramaḍhān till he died, then his wives used to observe I’tikāf after him. [Bukhāri & Muslim] 🔺Note: The ḥadīths pertaining to I’tikāf are Mutawātir (many reports). • As for the Ijmā’ Ibn Al-Mudhir, Ibn Qudāmah, An-Nawawi and others have all relayed an Ijmā’ with regards to I’tikāf being Sunnah, and that it becomes obligatory only if a person vows to do it. ➢ 3. What are the conditions for I’tikāf to be valid? There are six conditions in total, they are: 1⃣. Islām (he/she must be Muslim) 2⃣. Tamyīz (of the age of discernment) 3⃣. Sanity 4⃣. Must have the intention to perform I’tikāf 5⃣. It must take place within a masjid. 6⃣. This masjid must be one which establishes the five obligatory prayers; this condition excludes prayer rooms (Muṣallā). It is also preferable that the masjid establishes Jumu’ah prayer, although this is not a condition. 🔺Note: The sixth condition is specific to men, because it is they upon whom offering Ṣalāh in congregation is obligatory. 🔺Note: it's permissible for women to observe I’tikāf as there's no evidence preventing them from that. In fact, the Prophet's wives used to perform I’tikāf during and after his lifetime ﷺ. And according to the stronger opinion, women are allowed to enter the masjid and perform I’tikāf whether in a state of ritual purity or otherwise. However, they must be careful not to pollute the masjid. 💡Benefit: Sheikh Albāni raḥimahullāh said a woman is allowed to perform I’tikāf with two conditions: (1) she must get her guardian’s consent, and (2) there must not be any free-mixing in the masjid. [Qiyām Ramaḍhān] ➢ 4. Where is the best place to perform I’tikāf? The best place to undertake I’tikāf is in the three Holy masjids; Masjid Al-Ḥarām, Masjid An-Nabawī and Masjid Al-Aqṣā'. This is derived from the statement of Ḥudhayfah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu: “There is no Iʿtikāf except in the three masjids.” [Al-Bayhaqī - graded Ṣaḥīḥ by Sheikh Albāni in Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah] i.e: there is no Iʿtikāf better and more complete than in these three masjids - not that Iʿtikāf is invalid elsewhere. ➢ 5. Is it permissible to perform I’tikāf outside Ramaḍhān? Most of the scholars have said that it's permissible to observe I’tikāf all year round. This is proven by the generality in the saying of Allāh (translated meaning): “…while you are observing I‘tikāf in the masjids.” [Baqarah 187] Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ observed I’tikāf for ten days during Shawwāl. [Bukhāri & Muslim] And ‘Umar raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu said to the Prophet ﷺ that during Jāhiliyyah he had vowed to observe I’tikāf for one night in Masjid Al-Ḥarām. So the Prophet ﷺ told him to fulfill his vow. [Bukhāri & Muslim] These evidences prove that observing I’tikāf outside Ramaḍhān is permissible. Also, the ḥadīth of ’Umar indicates that fasting is not a condition for I’tikāf to be valid - as there is no fasting at night.