WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RAMADAN (EPISODE 8)
By Yusuff Ademola Adesina
EPISODE 8: I’tikaaf: Seclusion in the Month of Ramadan
Indeed all praise be to Allaah. We praise Him and seek His help, we seek His forgiveness and guidance. We seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls and deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead astray, whomever He allows to go astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah, and that He has no partner. I also bear witness that Muhammad [PBUH] is His servant and messenger.
Whenever the month of Ramadan approaches its last ten days, one will observe that there are usually two categories of Muslims.The first category consists of those who are in suspense and waiting in anticipation to witness the end of Ramadan, so that they could return to their normal lifestyle which they have modified because of Ramadan, and thus slacken in their acts of worship. Contrarily, the second category is of those who heighten and endeavour to reach the peak of their spiritual objectives, and thus engage in more acts of worship to acquire the delightful blessings of the month.
Al-Aswad ibn Yazid narrated from ‘A’ishah that she said:
“Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to strive in the last ten days to an extent that he did not strive at any other time.”(Sahih Muslim, no.1175)
I’tikaaf is one of the common acts of worship that Muslims perform in the last ten days of Ramadan.They do so inorder to receive the mercy and numerous pleasant blessings Of Allah,which he bestows upon them during that time. On this note, this episode and the next three aim at discussing the most known acts of worship in the last ten days of Ramadan which include I’tikaaf, the search for and praying in the night of Qadr (Laylatul-Qadr), giving the Zakatul-Fitr and attending the I’d prayer
I’tikaaf: Seclusion in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
Allah says:
“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them...” (Q2:187)
I’tikaaf is a form of worship, which is done by staying in a Masjid (Mosque) for a certain time. It is usually done when one is fasting as the above quoted verse portrays; Allah, the exalted mentions I’tikaaf in connection with fasting, and because the Prophet (PBUH) used to perform in the month of Ramadan.
The purpose of performing I’tikaaf is identical to the purpose of fasting which is to develop righteousness and piety (Taqwa). Allaah completes the afore-stated verse by saying:
“...thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.” (Q2:187)
It is therefore essential to stay in the Masjid with the intention to worship Allah by occupying oneself with prayers, reciting the Quran, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His oneness and His greatness, asking His forgiveness, and supplicating to Him.
Evidence from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has shown that the best time to observe I’tikaaf is in the month of Ramadan, especially the last ten days.
Aisha (Allah pleased with her) narrated:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to practice I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I’tikaaf after him.” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, No.243)
Abu Hurayrah (Allah pleased with him) narrated:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform I’tikaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaaf for twenty days.” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, No.260)
It is clearly understood from the aforementioned narrations that practising seclusion in the last ten days of Ramadan is the Sunnah of the Prophet [PBUH]. Thus it is recommended that whosoever can undertake the practise should do so.
Jazakumul-Laah Khayran
EPISODE 8: I’tikaaf: Seclusion in the Month of Ramadan
Whenever the month of Ramadan approaches its last ten days, one will observe that there are usually two categories of Muslims.The first category consists of those who are in suspense and waiting in anticipation to witness the end of Ramadan, so that they could return to their normal lifestyle which they have modified because of Ramadan, and thus slacken in their acts of worship. Contrarily, the second category is of those who heighten and endeavour to reach the peak of their spiritual objectives, and thus engage in more acts of worship to acquire the delightful blessings of the month.
Al-Aswad ibn Yazid narrated from ‘A’ishah that she said:
“Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to strive in the last ten days to an extent that he did not strive at any other time.”(Sahih Muslim, no.1175)
I’tikaaf is one of the common acts of worship that Muslims perform in the last ten days of Ramadan.They do so inorder to receive the mercy and numerous pleasant blessings Of Allah,which he bestows upon them during that time. On this note, this episode and the next three aim at discussing the most known acts of worship in the last ten days of Ramadan which include I’tikaaf, the search for and praying in the night of Qadr (Laylatul-Qadr), giving the Zakatul-Fitr and attending the I’d prayer
I’tikaaf: Seclusion in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
Allah says:
“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them...” (Q2:187)
I’tikaaf is a form of worship, which is done by staying in a Masjid (Mosque) for a certain time. It is usually done when one is fasting as the above quoted verse portrays; Allah, the exalted mentions I’tikaaf in connection with fasting, and because the Prophet (PBUH) used to perform in the month of Ramadan.
The purpose of performing I’tikaaf is identical to the purpose of fasting which is to develop righteousness and piety (Taqwa). Allaah completes the afore-stated verse by saying:
“...thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.” (Q2:187)
It is therefore essential to stay in the Masjid with the intention to worship Allah by occupying oneself with prayers, reciting the Quran, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His oneness and His greatness, asking His forgiveness, and supplicating to Him.
Evidence from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has shown that the best time to observe I’tikaaf is in the month of Ramadan, especially the last ten days.
Aisha (Allah pleased with her) narrated:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to practice I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I’tikaaf after him.” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, No.243)
Abu Hurayrah (Allah pleased with him) narrated:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform I’tikaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaaf for twenty days.” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, No.260)
It is clearly understood from the aforementioned narrations that practising seclusion in the last ten days of Ramadan is the Sunnah of the Prophet [PBUH]. Thus it is recommended that whosoever can undertake the practise should do so.
Jazakumul-Laah Khayran
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