When Nathr (vow) is made to observe I’tikaf for several days (i.e. days including nights – 24 hour period), it will be waj ib to execute the days of the l’tikaf consecutively – one after the other without interruption. However, if at the time of the niyyat it is specified that the I’tikaf will be interspersed, then it will be permissible to spread the number of days of the Nathr I’tikaf over a period. It will then not be Wajib to observe the l’tikaf in consecutive order of days. In a Nathr l’tikaf in which the nights have not been included in the niyyat, it will be permissible to intersperse the days of the I’tikaf. Consecutive order in this case is not wajib.
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A Nathr Muayyan I’tikaf (in which a specific month or particular days have been specified for the l’tikaf may be executed even before the specified period. If it is expressed in the vow that the Nathr l’tikaf will be undertaken in Masjidul Haram, it will be permissible to observe it in any Masjid. Nathr I’tikaf may be discharged even with the Saum of Ramadhan. Thus, if a vow was taken to observe I’tikaf during Ramadhan (i.e. other than the I’tikaf of the last 10 days), then such I’tikaf will be valid and the fasting of Ramadhan will suffice for the l’tikaf.
Nathr I’tikaf will be valid with any type of wajib fast even if the Saum is qadhaor Kaffarah fasting. Thus, if one is keeping Qadha fasts, one may observe a Nathr I’tikaf on such days. Nathr l’tikaf will not be valid with Nafl fasting. Thus if one intends Nathr l’tikaf after having commenced a Nafl Saurn, the Nathr l’tikaf will not be valid. The minimum period for a wajib I’tikaf is one day, i.e. from Subah Sadiq to sunset.
Qadha of I’tikaf-Qadha will be made of Nathr and Masnoon l’tikaf. There is no qadha for Nafl l’tikaf. Qadha of, Nathr Muayyan I’tikafwill be made if the l’tikaf was not observed on its specific days or if it was rendered void while observing it.
?Masnoon I’tikaf (i.e. the I’tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadhan) will be made qadha if it was rendered void after having commenced it. It is necessary to make qadha of only the day or days which were rendered void. When making qadha of the Rika-f, Saum (fasting) is obligatory. Qadha of the Itikaf will be valid only if fasting is also observed on the day/ s when the qadha-a is being made.
Sunna Tul Muak-kadah Itikaf
I’tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadhan is the only Masnoon I’tikaf. This I’tikaf is Sunnatul Muak-kadah alai Kifayah. If a few or even just one person observes this I’tikaf in a particular area/neighbourhood, the duty will be discharged on behalf of the entire community of that locality. On the otherhand, if no one observes this I’tikaf, the whole community will be guilty of neglecting a Sunnatul Muakkadah obligation. Such neglect is sinful.
The Mu’takif (the one who observes I’tikaf will enter the Masjid before sunset of the 20th day of Ramadhan. The Mu’takif will remain, until the sighting of the Eid hilal is confirmed. Niyyat (making intention) is a necessary condition for Masnoon I’tikaf as well. If the Masnoon I’tikaf is broken or nullified, qadha of it is obligatory.
The Dos And Don’ts At The Venue [Mosque] Of I’tikaf
For men, I’tikaf is valid in only a Mosjid in which Athan and Iqamah are proclaimed for the five daily Salat. In otherwords, it has to be a Mosjid in which the five daily Salat are performed with Jama’t.
Females can observe I’tikaf in a place in their homes, set aside for Salat or specially cordoned off for the purpose of I’tikaf. It is permissible for women to come to the Mosjid to observe I’tikaf or to perform Salat or to listen to lectures. The Masjid here refers to the Masjid proper and not to the annexures or adjacent buildings erected for the need of the
Masjid or Musallees.
The Mosjid proper is that section of the building which was intended by the Waqif (the person or? organisation who erected the Masjid, and demarcated the Mosjid boundaries), to be the Mosjid. Most Musajids have a section at the back which in most cases, is under the same roof but is excluded from the Mosjid proper. Janazah Salat and sometimes a second Jama’t by late-comers are performed in this section. Since this section of the building is excluded from the Masjid, it is not permissible for the Mu’takif to venture unnecessarily into that area. If he does, his I’tikaf will be rendered void. The Mu’takif should ascertain from the Mutawallis (trustees) the exact boundaries of the Musjid.
The wudhu place, courtyard, store-rooms and any other adjacent buildings are all excluded from the Masjid. It is essential that the Mu’takif remains inside the Masjid, or inside the special place set aside at home (for women) throughout the duration of the I’tikaf. Leaving the place of I’tikaf unnecessarily for even a minute will render the I’tikaf null and void.
Valid Reasons For Leaving The Masjid And Which Will Not Break
The I’tikaf
It is permissible to leave the Masjid for the following acts only:
To answer the call of nature – to go to the toilet, to pass wind, to take an obligatory bath, to make wudhu. Juma’h Salat, if Juma’h Salat is not performed in the Masjid where the i’tikaf is being observed. In this case, the Mu’takif should leave the Mosjid at such a time to enable him to reach the other Musjid in time to perform his Sunnat Salat. He should leave immediately after having completed the six raka’ts Sunnats after the Fardh Salat. He should not delay for Dua and Thikr.
To proclaim the Athan, if he is the Muath-thin. This is permissible for even a Mu’takif who is not the permanent Muath-thin, to bring food ifthere is no one to tend to this need of his. If one is compelled to leave the Mosjid either because of danger or forceful eviction, one may immediately proceed to another Mosjid. To continue with the I’tikaf because an unnecessary delay in the process of changing Musjids is not permissible and will break the I’tikaf. When leaving the Mosjid for the above mentioned reasons, the Mu’takif must return to the Mosjid immediately? after having fulfilled the need. An unnecessary delay of even a minute will break the l’tikaf.
The Mufsidat Or Things Which Break I’tikaf
Only Wajib and Masnoon I’tikaf are rendered invalid. Nafll’tikaf is not rendered void by any act. It is merely ended by engaging in an act which is not permitted for the Mu’takif. Unnecessarily leaving the Mosjid for even a minute whether intentionally, unintentionally or under compulsion, will invalidate the I’tikaf. All acts and reasons besides the valid reasons will be regarded as unnecessary in the context of tikaf thus, leaving the Musjid due to illness, although permissible, will invalidate the I’tikaf. To leave the Musjid for Jannazah Salat, visiting the sick or for an other permissible activity besides the valid reasons, will render the I’tikaf null and void. The II ika-fwill also become void (break – be invalid) if the Mu’takifs fast breaks.
The Mubahat Or The Things Which Are Permissible During I’tikaf
During I’tikaf, the following acts are mubah (permissible): To eat and drink, to sleep” necessary conversation, to change clothes and apply perfume and oil, to cut hair and nails. These should not be allowed to fall in the Musjid, to walk inside the Masjid, to sit anywhere inside the Masjid,to atend to a sick person inside the Masjid, if necessary, to buy and sell goods provided that the goods are not brought into the Mosjid nor is payment made inside the Mosjid, to teach deeni lessons, to sew clothing, to study deeni books, to get married and to perform a Nikah and all such acts which are lawful and allowed in the Musjid are? permissible for the Mu’takif.
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Things That Are Detestable And Not Permissible For The Mu’takif
The Makruhat during I’tikaf are as follows: To maintain total silence, to indulge in idle talk, to sleep excessively merely to wile away the time, to unnecessarily pass wind inside the Masjid, to sew garments or engage in any occupation for a fee, to read books and magazines which are not of a deeni nature, to erect the mu’takaf in a way which inconveniences the Musallees. (Mu’takaf is the area which is enclosed for the sleeping and eating of the one who observes I’tikaf) and to engage in any worldly activity unnecessarily.
What To Do During I’tikaf: The Mu’takif should engage himself in lbadat to the best of his ability. Nafl Salat, Tilawat, Qur’an, Istighfar and permanent Thikr in general should be the Mu’takifs occupations throughout the duration of his I’tikaf and when the Mu’takif speaks, he must speak only what is virtuous or what is necessary.
The Mutakif should not do anything which conflicts with the spirit of I’tikaf. He should guard his heart, mind, ears, eyes and limbs against all evil, thus deriving maximum benefit from his seclusion in the Masjid, the Mu’takif is the guest of Allah. He should, therefore, be careful of his behaviour in the House of Allah.
Masaal (Rules) Pertaining To I’tikaf
The same rules which apply to a man observing I’tikaf in the Masjid, apply to a woman observing I’tikaf in her place of seclusion at home. When necessity, e.g. Juma’h Salat in another Masjid compels the Mu’takif to leave his Masjid, it will be permissible for him to enquire about a sick person or generally engage in good conversation without departing from the road. He must not unnecessarily stop on the road. During I’tikaf it is not permissible to leave the Musjid for even a Sunnat ghusl. It is permissible for the Muath-thin who is in I’tikaf to enter the minaret for the athan. Whilst standing inside the Masjid it is permissible for the Mu’takif to protrude his lie-ad out of the window. Emission of semen, e.g. in a wet dream, does not invalidate the I’tikaf. A woman’s I’tikaf is proper if she has the consent of her husband.
The I’tikaf of a child who understands the meaning of I’tikaf, is valid. Buloogh (puberty) is not a condition for the validity of I’tikaf. It is permissible to sleep on a bed in the Mu’takaf (the place cordoned off for sleeping and eating). A person who is not in I’tikaf should not join the Mu’takif for iftar or eating unless he also makes a niyyat for I’tikaf. Such an I’tikaf will be Nafl and its duration can be even for a minute. The person should make niyyat of l’tikaf, then engage in some thikr and Salat. Thereafter he may do as he pleases, e.g. join the Mu’takif in eating.
?The Mu’takif should remain at all times with wudhu. If his wudhu (ablution) breaks, it will be permissible for him to leave the Masjid for the purpose of wudhu, even if it is not yet time for Salat. After making wudhu, he should perform at least two raka’ts Tahiyyatal -wudhu. Similarly, it will be permissible for him to leave the Masjid to make wudhu at night to enable him to sleep with wudhu. If for some reason the I’tikaf of Ramadhan was rendered void (broken), it will not be necessary to leave the Masjid. The remaining days may still be observed and qadha of the day rendered void should be made.
Allah knows best.
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