What kind of act is i'tikaf?

I'tikaf in Arabic means “to stay in one place, to do something consistently, to confine oneself to a place”. In Islamic law, it refers to staying in a mosque where the adhan and iqamah are called, with the intention of i'tikaf, fasting, and remaining there for a set period.

The ruling of i'tikaf depends on its type:

• Obligatory (wajib) i'tikaf: This is when a person makes a vow (nazr) to perform i'tikaf, either verbally or by starting the act, or by making it conditional on something happening. For example, saying, “For the sake of Allah’s pleasure, I will perform i'tikaf for one or more days.”

Emphasized sunnah i'tikaf: Spending the last ten days of Ramadan in i'tikaf is an emphasized sunnah. However, it is a communal sunnah (sunnat kifayah): if one person from the mosque congregation performs it, the responsibility is lifted from the rest. As narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed i'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul. After him, his wives continued this practice.”

Recommended (mustahabb) i'tikaf: Performing i'tikaf at other times is mustahabb (recommended). The pillar of i'tikaf is staying in the mosque, and its condition is fasting. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“I'tikaf is only valid with fasting.”

This applies to obligatory and emphasized sunnah i'tikaf. Both nazr (vowed) and sunnah i'tikaf must be at least one day, as fasting cannot be less than a day. Whoever intends i'tikaf for one day must spend both the day and night in the mosque. For mustahabb i'tikaf, even a short stay is sufficient. For example, if one intends i'tikaf upon entering the mosque for prayer, it is counted as i'tikaf until leaving the mosque.

Men should perform i'tikaf in mosques where congregational prayers are held, while women may perform i'tikaf in a designated prayer area at home. The same requirements apply to women at home as to men in the mosque. If a person performing i'tikaf kisses or embraces their spouse, or leaves the i'tikaf area without a valid reason for an hour, according to Abu Hanifa, the i'tikaf is invalidated. While in i'tikaf, one may eat, drink, sleep, and speak good words in the mosque. It is permissible to leave the mosque for legitimate needs (such as using the restroom or taking a ritual bath).

I'tikaf is performed to devote oneself to worship. Entering i'tikaf is one of the best ways to discipline the soul. It allows a person to isolate themselves for worship and draw closer to their Lord. In this way, the heart becomes detached from worldly affairs and finds peace. Also, performing i'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan increases the likelihood of coinciding with Laylat al-Qadr. As narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):

“During the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) would spend the nights in worship, wake his family for prayer, and abstain from marital relations.”

Additionally, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Therefore, during i'tikaf, Muslims should avoid idle talk and focus on prayer, learning, dhikr, reciting the Qur'an, and performing night prayers as much as possible.

Medet Kurmashuly,

Specialist, Sharia and Fatwa Department, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

“Iman” magazine, No.3, 2024