One of the greatest traditions in Islam is I’tikaf, a ritual that elevates spiritual practice by dedicating oneself to the worship of Allah SWT. Detach yourself from other distractions and develop a deeper connection by focusing on Allah through praying, performing dhikr and reading the Quran. Perform the practices within a designated area, following certain rules and receive divine blessings. It is also believed that praying during the holiest night in Islam, the last ten days of Ramadan, brings more blessings and forgiveness, as angels are believed to descend to earth. Scroll down below to learn more about I’tikaf for both men and women.
I’tikaf (Ų§Ų¹ŲŖŚ©Ų§Ł) is a spiritual practice where a person secludes themselves in a particular area from the rest of the world for a particular period of time. During this time, you must stay disconnected from the distractions of daily life and devote yourself to the prayers of Allah that help you attain eternal reality, equanimity and inner composure. I’tikaf is generally followed during the last ten days of Ramadan; however, it can be done at any time of the year, as it is believed that during the last ten days of Ramadan, Laylatul Qadr occurs, when the Muslims can gain divine blessings. You can stay secluded at mosques or at your home and devote yourself to the worship of Allah, based on your gender.
Issue of Visas
There are three types of I’tikaf that Muslims perform to elevate their spirituality and get close to Allah.
Waajib I'tikaf
It is an I’tikaf that you perform when your wish gets fulfilled, as you vowed to Allah earlier; it becomes mandatory. You need to perform I’tikaf for at least one day along with fasting.
Sunnah I'tikaf
Sunnah I’tikaf is the practice that is followed by secluding yourself at a place, males in mosques and females in homes, during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Nafl I'tikaf
Nafl I’tikaf is a spiritual practice by Muslims devoting themselves to the worship of Allah outside the last ten nights of Ramadan.
I'tikaf in Ramadan
I’tikaf is performed during Ramadan, specifically at the last ten days, called Laylatul Qadr, focusing on worshipping Allah, detaching themselves from worldly distractions, leading to strengthening their spirituality and bond with Allah. Spending time in seclusion shall allow you to get more attached to Allah as well as elevate your level of spirituality. It is believed that performing I’tikaf during Laylatul Qadr is better than performing I’tikaf at other times of the year, as one gets to receive abundant blessings from Allah.
What is the purpose of the i'tikaf?
The purpose of I’tikaf is to submit yourself to Allah SWT by distancing yourself from worldly distractions and everything else that diverts your mind. Below are some significant purposes of performing I’tikaf:
Complete Devotion to Allah
Performing I’tikaf allows a person to devote themselves to Allah completely. This helps in learning that Allah holds an important place in the lives of Muslims.
Soul Purification and Spiritual Improvement
During the time of I’tikaf, a person needs to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and spend time carrying out holy practices. This helps them seek both forgiveness and the blessings of Allah, as well as gain spiritual improvement and soul purification.
Act of Healthy Worship
Staying at the mosques during the last ten days of Ramadan, thinking about Allah all the time, helps in filling your mind and soul with positive energy and also enables you to gain control over your desires and emotions.
How to Perform It? Know the Virtues and Rules
In literal terms, I’tikaf refers to staying at a designated place for a particular period of time to worship Allah. As there is no specific form that a person needs to be in throughout the process of I’tikaf, unlike salat, they can move at their own will.
Complete Devotion to Allah
Performing I’tikaf allows a person to devote themselves to Allah completely. This helps in learning that Allah holds an important place in the lives of Muslims.
Soul Purification and Spiritual Improvement
During the time of I’tikaf, a person needs to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and spend time carrying out holy practices. This helps them seek both forgiveness and the blessings of Allah, as well as gain spiritual improvement and soul purification.
Act of Healthy Worship
Staying at the mosques during the last ten days of Ramadan, thinking about Allah all the time, helps in filling your mind and soul with positive energy and also enables you to gain control over your desires and emotions.
I’tikafĀ Dua:
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āAllahumma inni asāaluka fee hathihi al-ayami al-mubarakh an tataqabbal minna āibadatina, wa tajāalana min ahl al-maghfirah wal-rahmahā
This dua translates as, O Allah, I ask You in these blessed days to accept our worship and make us among the people of forgiveness and mercy. Additionally, one can also recite āAllahumma innaka āafuwwun tuhibbul āafwa faāfu āanneeā many times during the last ten nights of Ramadan to seek spiritual strength and improvement.Ā
Virtues of I'tikaf
Performing I’tikafĀ has many virtues, some of which have been discussed below:
Self-Analysis of Oneself
Spending time in the mosque helps a person perform self-analysis on their mindset and actions. This helps them in planning to improve the areas to lead a better life.
Strengthening Bond with Allah
As you spend lonely time with Allah with no other purpose but to increase your relationship with Allah, which elevates your spirituality and belief.
Avoiding Gossip
As one starts I’tikaf, the chance of gossiping and backbiting drives Muslims towards earning sins. Avoiding idle chat helps keep the tongue clean and know when to remain silent.
Shunning Materialism and Worldly Desires
Another important virtue of performing I’tikaf is staying away from worldly desires like fashion, food and sexual desire, which helps them gain control over those emotions.
Rules to be Followed During I'tikaf
In order to perform I’tikaf, one must follow some rules to make it successful and please Allah.
- Do not apply perfume, as it makes the I'tikaf null and is also considered to be a sin.
- Avoid buying or selling items or services.
- Do not get into any argument or discussion with others if it's not to destroy falsehood or uphold the truth.
- Do not derive any pleasure from the opposite sex in any manner.
I'tikaf for Females
Females can also perform I’tikaf at a designated part of their house, where they usually pray salaah. They can perform I’tikaf for ten days of Ramadan at a specific place and receive the same reward from Allah SWT as a male performing in the Masjid. However, during the period of I’tikaf, they wonāt be able to perform any household chores.
Conclusion:
One of the profound spiritual practices of Islam is I’tikaf to help solely worship Allah. There is no doubt about Allah answering your prayers if you perform them with utmost dedication and follow the prescribed rules. Males must seclude themselves in mosques, whereas women must seclude themselves in the house.Ā Try to perform I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan to be rewarded with divine blessings.
Travel to the holy cities of Islam during Ramadan to perform I’tikaf and receive blessings from Allah. To enjoy a hassle-free spiritual experience, travel with us. Contact our travel expert to book your Umrah package based on your travel style and budget. You also get the option to customize your travel itinerary and travel comfortably.
FAQs
I'tikaf is a spiritual retreat where a person secludes themselves from worldly thoughts and desires and completely devotes themselves towards worshipping Allah.
Some of the rules that are followed during I'tikaf are avoiding the use of perfume, avoiding arguments and discussions, buying or selling or deriving any means of pleasure.
No one can perform this spiritual practice at any time of the year.
Men cannot perform I'tikaf at home; only women can perform I'tikaf at home.
No, you cannot use your phone during I'tikaf.
