Itikaf

Last 10 nights of Ramzan, Muslims spend entire time in Itikaf for Laylatul Qadr

Itikaf or Etikaf or E'tikaf is a practice in the Islamic faith. It consists of a period of retreat in a mosque, for a certain number of days in accordance with the believer's own wish.That number of days is 10 days. Ramadan is a perfect opportunity to do this. During Itikaf the people spend the last set of Ramadan in the mosque worshipping Allah. They spend their nights in worship by reciting verses from the Qur'an and praying thahajjud (Salat). During Itikaf, the believers stay at the mosque. E'tikaf is performed during the last set of Ramadan because "laylatul qadr" (the night when the Quran was revealed) is most probably expected in it. The Muslims also worship ALLAH more and reflect about what they have done in the past.

What Is Itikaf?

Itikaf is considered to be a type of spiritual retreat. During the last 10 days of Ramadan, many Muslims spend their days and nights at the mosque (masjid) in order to ensure that they are there for whichever night Laylat al-Qadr occurs. This is called itikaf. Literally translated, it is an Arabic word that means "to isolate oneself and to stick or adhere to something."

Narrated by Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

“The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.” [Hadith No. 2026, Book of Itikaf, Sahih Bukhari]

Three Types of Itikaf

Sunnah: This is the itikaf performed during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Nafl: Itikaf can be performed on any day/night of the year. This is considered to be a nafl (voluntary) act.

Wajib: If you have made a vow to perform itikaf, then it is compulsory (wajib) that you do so. This could be making a vow to Allah, such as through niyyat (intention) to perform itikaf or a vow based on a condition. This means saying or thinking: "If this thing happens, I will make itikaf for certain number of days."

Virtues of Itikaf

To understand the virtues of itikaf, one needs to understand the purpose of it and why it is suggested that it be done, whether during Ramadan or outside of it. The main purpose of itikaf is to remove yourself from distractions and focus solely on the worship of Allah, as Allah created us to do.

Itikaf is a time to renew your relationship with Allah without the distractions of daily life. It is like a spiritual retreat to renew and energize your soul. In fact, another purpose of itikaf is so that you may fall in love with worshiping Allah such that you will carry that feeling with you once your itikaf is over. In other words, it help

Time and Duration of Itikaf:

There seems to be varying opinions on the time and duration of itikaf, depending on which school of thought you follow.

For nafl and wajib itikaf, it is agreed that the duration depends on your intent and can begin at any time of the day or night. So if you plan or vow to Allah to be in itikaf for one day, then do so for one day; if for two days, then do so for two days, etc. Some scholars say that if one cannot do the entire 24-hour period, then it is permissible for a person to make the intention for the set amount of time for itikaf.

During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, many try to spend the entire time in itikaf so they will not miss out of the rewards of Laylat al-Qadr. It is not known which night Laylatul Qadr will occur, except that it will occur on an odd number night. Some choose to spend their days and nights in itikaf only on the odd number days of the last 10 days of Ramadan, making their itikaf intentions with each time they enter the masjid.

As far as when a person should begin his or her itikaf, there seems to be a variance in opinion as well. There are a few hadees that mention that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would begin his itikaf at the time of Maghrib prayer (Salah), and many hadiths that mention that he would begin his itikaf at the time of Fajr prayer (Namaz).