I'TIKAAF (RETIREMENT)

I'tikaaf during the last "'Ashrah" (the last ten days) of Ramadhan is a Sunnah (practice) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) used to observe regularly. However, in the second year before his demise, being on a journey, he could not observe it. The following year he observed twenty instead of ten days of I'tikaaf. This is the reason why the 'Ulama say that the I'tikaaf of the last ten days of Ramadhan is Sunnah Mu'akkadah. However, since Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) did not express any displeasure towards those who did not observe it, the 'Ulama say that it (the I'tikaaf) is Sunnah Mu'akkadah Kifaayah, that is to say it is Mu'akkadah on all the residents of a locality and not on each individual. In other words, if a person observes I'tikaaf, the responsibility of the community is discharged; but if no one observes it, then the entire locality will be held responsible for neglecting a Sunnah Mu'akkadah [a regular practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). This is called Sunnah Mu'akkadah Kifaayah.]

It is therefore important that there is at least one person who observes I'tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan in each locality.

SOME RULES ON I'TIKAAF

  1. The one who has made the intention to observe I'tikaaf for the last ten days of Ramadhan must retire for I'tikaaf on the 20th day of Ramadhan before sunset.
  2. A Mu'takif (a person who observes I'tikaaf) is not allowed to go out of the place of I'tikaaf (Masjid or, for a woman, a place reserved for observing I'tikaaf e.g. a corner of her room) except to relieve himself (toilet) and for religious needs (wuzu and Farz ghusal).
  3. Going out of the place of I'tikaaf for any reason other than those mentioned above nullifies the I'tikaaf.
  4. In addition to the nullification of the I'tikaaf, the Mu'takif will have the sin of having gone out of the place of I'tikaaf deliberately.
  5. The Mu'takif who goes out of the place of I'tikaaf to help, for example, a needy person or to save the life of a person will not have any sin, but nevertheless his I'tikaaf will be nullified.
  6. The I'tikaaf of a person who goes out to perform the Salah of Janaazah or to visit a sick person is also nullified.
  7. A person who falls ill and has to abandon his I'tikaaf should make up only the missed days. While observing the I'tikaaf of the missed days he should also observe the fast (Roza). However, it is better if he makes up the ten days of I'tikaaf in its entirety while observing the fast.

[English version of "L'tikaaf (retraite)" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 7]