The Holy month of
Ramadan is already here. This is one opportunity to ask Allah for forgiveness and
it is through Ramadan we get closer to Allah Almighty. Ramadan is just not
about fasting, it is about praying to Allah whole heartedly.
The last 10 days of
Ramadan are the most religious. Devoting yourself during these days is one of
the purest forms of worship. This devotion is called I’tikaf. The Muslims who
perform I’tikaf spend the last 10 days of the Holy month of Ramadan in a mosque
where they seclude themselves from the worldly things and just Pray to Allah. All they seek is
His blessings and ask for forgiveness.
Types of I’tikaf
Wajib I’tikaf: While asking
Allah to fulfill a dream
or wish, the person promises to undertake I’tikaf. As soon as his wish is
granted, it becomes his Wajid duty to perform I’tikaf. It should not be less
than one day and night and the person is expected to fast during its
performance.
Nafl l’tikaf: Nafl I’tikaf
does not require any specific number of days or a time for a person to perform
it. He may form the Niyyah (to perform an act from the heart for the sake of
Allah) for any number of
days that he prefers and at any time of the year. This particular I’tikaf
requires no fasting.
Why is it important to
perform I’tikaf?
A person who performs
I’tikaf is at an advantage of being closer to Allah. Also because he is
not in sync with his daily routine, he sacrifices the things that he likes for
the next 10 days. This earns him rewards. The following are some of the benefits
of observing I’tikaf:
o
Performing I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan is
equivalent to the reward that one gets with the performance of two Hajj and
Umrah. Al-Bayhaqi narrated the following report from al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali
(may Allah be pleased with him), which he classed as da’eef: the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever observes
I’tikaf for ten days in Ramadan, that will be equivalent to two Hajjs and two
‘Umrahs”. This was mentioned by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah (518)
where he said: it is mawdoo’ (fabricated).
o
One is washed off his sins and is rewarded for undertaking
I’tikaf. It also protects the person from the fire of hell. Prophet Muhammad once said in His
hadith: “Whosoever for Allah’s sake did even one-day Itikaf, Allah would keep him away
from Jahannam by trenches.”(Tabarani). Ibn Abbas (RA) has also reported that our beloved
Prophet said that the
person who observes I’tikaf, “That he is safe from sin & he also
gets that reward which everyone (outside I’tikaf) gets for pious deeds.”(Ibn
Majah).
o
I’tikaf protects the person from evil and keeps him away from
sins as the person devotes himself to Allah Almighty by offering Taraweeh,
reading Quran, making Dhikr and reciting dua.
o
While observing I’tikaf, the person is supposed to stay in the
masjid. While doing so, he is kept away from the worldly pleasures and this
earns him rewards.
