بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Issues Related to I‘tikaf — In the Light of Hadith

I‘tikaf Is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah Kifayah and Its Duration Is Ten Days:

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says that every year (in Ramadan) the Quran would be recited once before the Noble Prophet ﷺ. In the year in which he ﷺ passed away, it was completed twice before him. Likewise, every year he would observe I‘tikaf for ten days, but in the year of his passing he observed I‘tikaf for twenty days.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Women Should Also Observe I‘tikaf:

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that the Noble Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away; after him, his wives رضي الله عنهن continued to observe I‘tikaf.” (Sahih Muslim)

For Women, Observing I‘tikaf at Home Is More Virtuous:

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Do not prevent women from going to the mosque; however, their homes are better for them (for prayer) than the mosques.’” (Sunan Abu Dawood)

If someone is unable to observe I‘tikaf for the full ten days, he should observe it for as many days as possible; even I‘tikaf for a single night is valid.

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that ‘Umar رضي الله عنه asked the Noble Prophet ﷺ: ‘In the time of Jahiliyyah, I vowed to observe I‘tikaf for one night in Al-Masjid al-Haram; should I fulfill it?’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Fulfill your vow.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

The One Observing I‘tikaf Continues to Receive Reward for Good Deeds:

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding the one observing I‘tikaf: ‘He is restrained from sins, and reward for good deeds continues to be recorded for him as if he were performing all those good deeds he used to do.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

It Is Sunnah to Enter the Place of I‘tikaf After Fajr Prayer:

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that when the Noble Prophet ﷺ intended to observe I‘tikaf, he would perform the Fajr prayer and then enter the place of I‘tikaf.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan Ibn Majah)