Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
The days of Maghfirat (forgiveness) conclude with 20th day of fasting. The third part of Ramzan called ‘Nazat’ (salvation) begins tomorrow.
‘I’tikaf’ is a special worship and part of Sunnah of this phase. The period of I’tikaf
begins before the sunset today and continues till the sighting of the moon of the month of Shawal. Observance of I’tikaf is ‘Sunnate Muakkada Kefaya.’ ‘Kefaya’ demands : If some people in a locality observe it in a mosque, this will do. But if none observes, the people of the locality will be responsible for deviation.
The word ‘I’tikaf’ is derived from the root ‘ukuf’ meaning ‘to stick to something or place.’
‘I’tikaf means ‘confining’ or ‘staying.’ It is a ‘retreat in the mosque.’. The ‘Mutakif’ (who retreats in the mosque) withdraws from the worldly enjoyments, in a complete seclusion in the corner of the mosque for purification of soul to achieve love of Allah and also to have the special blessings and mercy of the night of Qadr. It is a complete retirement to spiritual life.
According to Holy Hadith, it is better for women to confine themselves in Itikaf in the corner of their houses.
Hazrat Ayesha (Ra) said, “Rasulullah (Sm) performed I’tikaf always in the last ten days. He observed it till he breathed his last. After his death his wives continued the tradition of I’tikaf. (Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif, Abu Daud Sharif).
Abdullah Ibne Umar (Ra) said, “Rasulullah (Sm) used to sit for I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan.” (Bukhari and Muslim Sharif).
In the 125th verse of Sura Baqara ‘retreat’ has been stated in the following words : “…or use it / As a retreat or bow, or/ Prostrate themselves (therein/ In prayer).” The context is of Ka’ba, the House of Allah. Allama Yusuf Ali in his comment says : “Four rites are here enumerated, which have now acquired a technical meaning (1) compassing the sacred territory, or going round the Ka’ba : Tawaf. There are special guides who take pilgrims and visitors round. (2) Retiring to the place as a spiritual retreat, for contemplation and prayer : I’tikaf..” (3). The posture of bending the back in prayer : Ruku. (4). The posture of prostrating oneself on the ground in prayer : Sujud. The protection of the holy territory is for all, but special cleanliness and purity is required for the sake of the devotees who undertake these rites.”
The 187th verse of the same Sura directs the ‘Mutakif’ to avoid association with wife, to remain far from sexual enjoyments “:….But do not associate /With your wives /While ye are in retreat /In the mosques. Those are/ Limits (set by) God : /Approach not nigh thereto….” (Sura Baqara 2:187)
Allama Yusuf Ali comments : “Retreat to the Mosques by night after the fast is broken is specially recommended towards the end of Ramzan, so that all carnal temptations may be avoided.”
Those who ‘retreat’ to mosque and get themselves aloof from worldly life and enjoyments, should spend the time of seclusion in prayer, tilawat, tasbih-tahlil, zikr-azkar, and durud sharif for spiritual attainment.
Rasulullah (Sm) said : It will be of the same merit of two Hajj and two Umra for him who performs I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan, ” (Baihaqi, Durre Mansur)
The days of Maghfirat (forgiveness) conclude with 20th day of fasting. The third part of Ramzan called ‘Nazat’ (salvation) begins tomorrow.
‘I’tikaf’ is a special worship and part of Sunnah of this phase. The period of I’tikaf
begins before the sunset today and continues till the sighting of the moon of the month of Shawal. Observance of I’tikaf is ‘Sunnate Muakkada Kefaya.’ ‘Kefaya’ demands : If some people in a locality observe it in a mosque, this will do. But if none observes, the people of the locality will be responsible for deviation.
The word ‘I’tikaf’ is derived from the root ‘ukuf’ meaning ‘to stick to something or place.’
‘I’tikaf means ‘confining’ or ‘staying.’ It is a ‘retreat in the mosque.’. The ‘Mutakif’ (who retreats in the mosque) withdraws from the worldly enjoyments, in a complete seclusion in the corner of the mosque for purification of soul to achieve love of Allah and also to have the special blessings and mercy of the night of Qadr. It is a complete retirement to spiritual life.
According to Holy Hadith, it is better for women to confine themselves in Itikaf in the corner of their houses.
Hazrat Ayesha (Ra) said, “Rasulullah (Sm) performed I’tikaf always in the last ten days. He observed it till he breathed his last. After his death his wives continued the tradition of I’tikaf. (Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif, Abu Daud Sharif).
Abdullah Ibne Umar (Ra) said, “Rasulullah (Sm) used to sit for I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan.” (Bukhari and Muslim Sharif).
In the 125th verse of Sura Baqara ‘retreat’ has been stated in the following words : “…or use it / As a retreat or bow, or/ Prostrate themselves (therein/ In prayer).” The context is of Ka’ba, the House of Allah. Allama Yusuf Ali in his comment says : “Four rites are here enumerated, which have now acquired a technical meaning (1) compassing the sacred territory, or going round the Ka’ba : Tawaf. There are special guides who take pilgrims and visitors round. (2) Retiring to the place as a spiritual retreat, for contemplation and prayer : I’tikaf..” (3). The posture of bending the back in prayer : Ruku. (4). The posture of prostrating oneself on the ground in prayer : Sujud. The protection of the holy territory is for all, but special cleanliness and purity is required for the sake of the devotees who undertake these rites.”
The 187th verse of the same Sura directs the ‘Mutakif’ to avoid association with wife, to remain far from sexual enjoyments “:….But do not associate /With your wives /While ye are in retreat /In the mosques. Those are/ Limits (set by) God : /Approach not nigh thereto….” (Sura Baqara 2:187)
Allama Yusuf Ali comments : “Retreat to the Mosques by night after the fast is broken is specially recommended towards the end of Ramzan, so that all carnal temptations may be avoided.”
Those who ‘retreat’ to mosque and get themselves aloof from worldly life and enjoyments, should spend the time of seclusion in prayer, tilawat, tasbih-tahlil, zikr-azkar, and durud sharif for spiritual attainment.
Rasulullah (Sm) said : It will be of the same merit of two Hajj and two Umra for him who performs I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramzan, ” (Baihaqi, Durre Mansur)
