I’tikaf in Islam: Complete Guide
Question: When, where, and for how many days is I’tikaf observed? Can women sit for I’tikaf at home? And explain the details of permissible and impermissible matters during I’tikaf, in the light of the Quran and Hadith..!
Answer..!
Alhamdulillah..!
- Meaning of I’tikaf
Linguistically, the meaning of I’tikaf is to stay, to remain firm, and to restrain oneself in a place. Shari’i (legal) I’tikaf carries the same meaning: to stay in the mosque in a specific manner to attain nearness to Allah Almighty. - Wisdom of I’tikaf
The reality of I’tikaf is that the servant cuts himself off from all sides, disconnects from everyone, and focuses solely on Allah, staying at His door—meaning in a corner of the mosque. He remains in solitude, separated from everyone, engaged in His worship, remembrance, and contemplation. He keeps Him in mind, busying himself in His Tasbeeh (glorification), Tahleel (declaring oneness), and Taqdees (sanctifying). He repents and seeks forgiveness before Him, cries over his sins and shortcomings, seeks His pleasure and nearness, and spends his days and nights in this state. Obviously, what time could be better for this task than Ramadan al-Mubarak, and especially its last ten days? That is why this time was selected for I’tikaf.
- Where to perform I’tikaf…?
Allah Kareem says:
{وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ}
“And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 187)
From this blessed verse, it is known that I’tikaf takes place in the mosque only.
Also, the Prophet ﷺ always performed I’tikaf in the mosque.
This is also found in the Hadiths.
Nafi narrates that:
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) showed me the place in the mosque where the Prophet ﷺ used to perform I’tikaf.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1171)
Women will also sit for I’tikaf in mosques; I’tikaf does not take place at home.
This is because the word “Mosque” is used for I’tikaf in the Quran, and furthermore, the Mothers of the Believers (Ummahat al-Mu’mineen) used to perform I’tikaf in the mosque alongside the Prophet ﷺ.
It is mentioned in the Hadith that:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) also asked his permission, and he gave her permission. Then Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) asked Aisha to ask permission for her as well, so she did. When Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) saw this, she also asked for a tent to be set up, and it was set up for her. It is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would go to his tent after the Morning Prayer.
Today, you saw many tents. The Prophet ﷺ asked, “What is this?” People told him that these are the tents of Aisha, Hafsa, and Zainab (may Allah be pleased with them)… (End of quote)
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2045)
And Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) states: “I used to go to the house (while in the state of I’tikaf) only for necessity (relieving nature).”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1776)
It is proven from these Hadiths that women also used to perform I’tikaf in the mosque.
Now, since this is an era of Fitnah (temptation/trials),
Therefore, if there is a separate arrangement for women in the mosque, such as behind a curtain or on the roof,
Then she can sit for I’tikaf in the mosque,
Otherwise, she should not sit..!! - Duration of I’tikaf
One can perform I’tikaf whenever and for however many days one wishes.
It is proven from the Prophet ﷺ to perform I’tikaf for the entire month, twenty days, and also ten days.
However, mostly He ﷺ used to perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Abu Said al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ performed I’tikaf in the first ten days of Ramadan and we also sat in I’tikaf with him. But Jibril (peace be upon him) came and informed him that what you are searching for (Laylat al-Qadr) is ahead. So, He performed I’tikaf in the second ten days, and we did so with him. Jibril (peace be upon him) came again and said that what you are searching for (the Night) is ahead.
Then He delivered a sermon on the morning of the 20th of Ramadan. He said, “Whoever performed I’tikaf with me should do it again, for Laylat al-Qadr was shown to me but I was made to forget it, and it is in the odd nights of the last ten days.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 813)
The Prophet ﷺ used to perform I’tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan. One year, He ﷺ performed I’tikaf during these days, and when the night of the twenty-first came—this is the night whose morning He ﷺ would come out of I’tikaf—He ﷺ said: “Whoever performed I’tikaf with me should now perform I’tikaf in the last ten days as well. I was shown this Night (in a dream), but then I was made to forget it. I also saw that on the morning of this night, I am prostrating in mud and water; therefore, seek it in the odd nights of the last ten days.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2027)
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that:
The Prophet ﷺ continued to perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until his death, and after him, his pure wives continued to perform I’tikaf.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2026)
The Prophet ﷺ used to perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. One year (for some reason) he could not perform I’tikaf, so the following year He ﷺ performed I’tikaf for twenty nights.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 2464)
From these Hadiths, it is known that if someone wants to perform I’tikaf for the whole month, twenty days, or ten days, they can do so. In fact, if someone wants to perform I’tikaf for a duration shorter than this, they can do that as well.
The proof for this is:
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Prophet ﷺ: “In the days of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), I made a vow to perform I’tikaf for one night in Masjid al-Haram.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fulfill your vow.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2032)
Meaning, if someone wants to perform I’tikaf for one day, three days, or however many days, they can do so; there is no prohibition. - I’tikaf in months other than Ramadan
And this I’tikaf can also be performed in months other than Ramadan.
As it appears in a narration:
Once, a tent for I’tikaf was set up for the Prophet ﷺ in the mosque, but He abandoned the intention of I’tikaf for that Ramadan and then performed I’tikaf in the month of Shawwal.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2034)
However, the I’tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadan holds greater virtue because of Laylat al-Qadr, and the Prophet ﷺ also mostly used to perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. - Intention (Niyyah) for I’tikaf
All actions depend on intentions, therefore, the intention for I’tikaf is also necessary. And this intention is the name of the resolve of the heart. Some people have specified words for entering the mosque for I’tikaf, such as: Nawaytu Sunnatal I’tikaf (I intend the Sunnah I’tikaf). These are incorrect and not proven by any Hadith.
Therefore, one should avoid them.
- What are the conditions of I’tikaf?
- Be a Muslim: The I’tikaf of a disbeliever or polytheist is not valid.
- Be Sane: The I’tikaf of an insane or mad person is not valid.
- Discerning (Mumayyiz): The I’tikaf of a non-discerning child is not valid.
- In the Mosque: I’tikaf will not be valid in any place other than a mosque; this ruling applies to both men and women.
- Purity (Taharah): I’tikaf is not valid in the state of menstruation (Hayd), post-natal bleeding (Nifas), or major impurity (Janabah).
- Husband’s Permission: A woman’s I’tikaf is not valid without her husband’s permission.
- Fasting: According to many scholars, I’tikaf is not valid for one who skips fasting without a valid Shari’i excuse.
- When should I enter the place of I’tikaf?
Mother of the Believers, Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her), says that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to perform I’tikaf, he would pray the Morning Prayer and then enter the place of I’tikaf.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2033)
Since I’tikaf is also for seeking Laylat al-Qadr, and Laylat al-Qadr occurs in the odd nights,
Therefore, one should enter the mosque on the evening of the 20th fast, so that one can worship on the odd night of the 21st, and the next day, after praying Fajr, enter one’s tent/designated area.
- Permissible Matters during I’tikaf
- Keeping a bed and cot in I’tikaf:
When the Prophet ﷺ performed I’tikaf, his bedding would be spread out, or his cot would be placed behind the Pillar of Repentance.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1774) - Setting up a tent in the mosque for I’tikaf and talking out of necessity is permissible:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed I’tikaf in a Turkish tent; a piece of reed mat was hanging over its door. He took hold of the mat with his hand, moved it to a corner of the tent, and then poked his head out and spoke to the people.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1775) - Leaving the mosque for necessity, to bring food from home if it is close, or to go to the washroom is permissible:
Mother of the Believers Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I used to go to the house (while in I’tikaf) for necessity (relieving nature), and if there was a sick person there, I would inquire about them while walking by. And the Prophet ﷺ would only go to the house for necessity while in the state of I’tikaf.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1776) - Cleaning the body or serving the husband is permissible:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would extend his head towards me from the mosque while in the state of I’tikaf, and I would wash it and comb it. At that time, I would be in my room, and I would be menstruating, while He ﷺ was in the mosque.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1778) - A relative coming to visit or walking the wife home if the house is near:
Mother of the Believers Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in I’tikaf. I came to visit him one night, I spoke to him, and when I got up to leave, He stood up with me to accompany me home.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 4994) - Istihada (bleeding other than menstruation due to illness): Such a woman can sit for I’tikaf:
One of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ performed I’tikaf with Him ﷺ. She was suffering from Istihada and would see blood and yellowness; a basin was placed under her, and she would offer Salah.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 310, 309) - Going out for Friday Prayer (Jumu’ah):
Just like physical needs, there are some religious necessities that cannot be abandoned, for example, obligatory prayers, Friday prayer, etc.
Although I’tikaf should be done in a Jamia (Friday) Mosque.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states:
“The Sunnah is that there is no I’tikaf except in a Jamia Mosque.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 2473) Hasan Sahih
That is why scholars say it is superior to perform I’tikaf in a Jamia Mosque so that one does not have to leave the mosque for Friday Prayer.
“But if someone sits in a mosque where Jumu’ah is not held due to some compulsion, he can go to another mosque for Jumu’ah.”
Allama Ibn Uthaymeen (RA) writes:
“It is superior to perform I’tikaf where Jumu’ah is held so that one does not have to go out of the mosque for Friday prayer. If one does not perform I’tikaf in a Jamia Mosque, one can go to the Jamia Mosque for Friday prayer.”
(Majmu’ Fatawa wa Rasail Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen 20/157)
And it is not correct for the person in I’tikaf to leave the mosque without reason because leaving the mosque voids the I’tikaf, as I’tikaf is the name of staying in the mosque for the obedience of Allah.
But when there is a necessity, one can leave the mosque, for example, for relieving nature, Wudu, Ghusl, and if there is no one to bring food, it is permissible to go out to bring food. Similarly, for other matters without which there is no option and which cannot be performed in the mosque, it is permissible to go out for them. - Using a mobile phone for necessity during I’tikaf is permissible:
For reading the Quran or religious books, etc., or one can also make a call for necessity.
Especially when someone’s home is far away, one can talk to family members, etc., but this should be extremely minimal and only out of necessity.
- Keeping a bed and cot in I’tikaf:
- Impermissible Matters during I’tikaf
- It is not permissible to kiss, embrace, have relations, or intercourse with one’s wife during I’tikaf.
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 187) Tafsir Ibn Kathir. - Leaving the mosque without necessity, going for a funeral or visiting the sick:
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that:
“The Sunnah for the one in I’tikaf is not to visit a sick person, nor attend a funeral, nor touch a woman, nor have relations with her, nor go out for any need except for a necessity without which there is no option.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 3473) Hasan Sahih - Going for business, office, or exams is not permissible.
- Any act that is against the sanctity of the mosque: Such as worldly talk, useless arguments and debates, fighting, buying and selling, etc., is also not permissible.
- It is not permissible to kiss, embrace, have relations, or intercourse with one’s wife during I’tikaf.
- If I’tikaf is broken or ended before completion, will it be a sin? And is its makeup (Qada) necessary..?
If I’tikaf is ended due to a necessity like menstruation, etc., or due to illness, or even without any cause, it is not a sin.
However, one will be deprived of the Sunnah and the reward.
And its makeup (Qada) is not mandatory.
If one wants to offer it, they can.
As the Prophet ﷺ abandoned the intention of I’tikaf after having the tent set up in the mosque in Ramadan and then performed I’tikaf in Shawwal.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2034)
Time to leave I’tikaf
There are two times to come out of I’tikaf:
One is of permissibility (Jawaz),
And the other is of recommendation (Istihbab).
The time of permissibility is that if one has performed I’tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan, one should end their I’tikaf as soon as the moon of Shawwal appears and return home because the month of Ramadan ends as soon as the Shawwal moon is sighted.
And the recommended (Mustahab) time is to come out of the place of I’tikaf on the morning of Eid and go straight to the Eidgah. This has been the practice of some Companions and Tabi’un. Thus, Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) states that we have seen some people of knowledge that when they performed I’tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan, they would return to their homes after offering the Eid prayer.
(Muwatta: 1/315, Book of I’tikaf)
- After leaving I’tikaf
Drums, music, flowers, garlands of money, gathering a festival of relatives…
All these are matters of innovation (Bid’ah) or at least showing off (Riya).
May Allah protect us from them.
Ameen.
(And Allah Almighty knows best)
Reference: https://alfurqan.info/problems/516
