I'tikaaf Is Prescribed In Ramadaan And At Other Times
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & AnswersCan i'tikaaf be done at any time or is it
only to be done in Ramadaan?.
Praise be to Allaah.
I'tikaaf is Sunnah at any time, in Ramadaan or
otherwise, but it is better in Ramadaan, especially in
the last ten days of Ramadaan.
This is indicated by the general meaning of the
evidence which speaks of i'tikaaf being mustahabb,
which includes Ramadaan and other times. See question
no. (48999).
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo' (6/501):
I'tikaaf is Sunnah according to consensus, and it is
not obligatory unless one vowed to do it – also
according to consensus. It is mustahabb to do it a
great deal and it is mustahabb especially in the last
ten days of Ramadaan.
He also said (6/514):
The best i'tikaaf is that which is accompanied by
fasting, and the best of that is in Ramadaan, and the
best of that is the last ten days.
Al-Albaani said in Qiyaam Ramadaan:
I'tikaaf is Sunnah in Ramadaan and at other times of
the year. The basis for that is the verse in which
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"…while you are in I‘tikaaf (i.e. confining oneself in
a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the
worldly activities) in the mosques"
[al-Baqarah 2:187]
And there are saheeh ahaadeeth which describe the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
observing i'tikaaf as well as numerous reports which
describe the salaf as doing so too.
It was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) observed i'tikaaf during ten days
of Shawwaal as well. This is agreed upon.
‘Umar said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him): "During the Jaahiliyyah I vowed
to observe i'tikaaf for one night in al-Masjid al-Haraam."
He said: "Fulfil your vow." So he [‘Umar] observed
i'tikaaf for one night. Agreed upon.
It is more emphasized in Ramadaan, because of the
hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
observe i'tikaaf for ten days every Ramadaan, and in
the year in which he passed away he observed i'tikaaf
for twenty days. Narrated by al-Bukhaari.
The best i'tikaaf is at the end of Ramadaan, because
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) used to observe i'tikaaf for the last ten days of
Ramadaan until he passed away. Agreed upon.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said in Majmoo' al-Fataawa (15/437):
Undoubtedly i'tikaaf in the mosque is an act of
worship, and (observing it) in Ramadaan is better than
at other times. It is prescribed in Ramadaan and at
other times.
See Fiqh al-I'tikaaf by Dr Khaalid al-Mushayqih, p.
41.
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