Published on web at: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 +05:30. Section: Guidance - II section.
Ayisha relates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadhan till he died, and then his wives used to practise Itikaf after him.
(Bukhari)
The hadith highlights the regularity of Itikaf practised by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and after him his wives. Another hadith reported by Imam Bukhari on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar presents the same truth.
Itikaf is a state of secluded worship in a mosque during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadhan. It is a fardh-al-kifayah or an obligatory act to be done at least by some person(s) on behalf of the entire locality. If nobody from a locality or mohallah turns up to practise Itikaf, the entire locality or mohallah will be the defaulter. Muslim women are required to practise Itikaf in seclusion, preferably in a corner of the house.
is a state of secluded worship in a mosque during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadhan. It is a or an obligatory act to be done at least by some person(s) on behalf of the entire locality. If nobody from a locality or mohallah turns up to practise , the entire locality or mohallah will be the defaulter. Muslim women are required to practise in seclusion, preferably in a corner of the house.
The hadith bears testimony to the fact that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe Itikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan – till the last Ramadhan of his life. Besides, his wives used to observe it in their chambers.
As the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr or Lailatul Mubarakah) falls in one of the odd-numbered nights of Ramadhan, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) used to spend the period very arduously. He not only offered prayers for the whole night but used to awaken the members of his family for saying prayers. Ayisha says the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert his utmost in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, invoking His Mercy in prayers, recitation of the Holy Qur’n, etc. by girding up his loins.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) once missed the opportunity but he compensated it the next year by observing Itikaf for 20 days instead of 10 days. This shows the value and importance the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) attached to the observance of Itikaf.
In Itikaf, the person observing it (mutakif) is forbidden from leaving the mosque except in an emergency or to meet a dire necessity.
is a state of secluded worship in a mosque during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadhan. It is a or an obligatory act to be done at least by some person(s) on behalf of the entire locality. If nobody from a locality or mohallah turns up to practise , the entire locality or mohallah will be the defaulter. Muslim women are required to practise in seclusion, preferably in a corner of the house.
