Lock the door on distractions: iʿtikaf — secluding yourself in the mosque for prayer and reflection — is an ancient, powerful reset that many Muslims find life-changing, especially in Ramadan’s last ten nights
Iʿtikaf is one of the recommended and highly meritorious acts of worship in Islam; it means staying in the mosque with the intention of worship. During iʿtikaf the person withdraws from many worldly matters and devotes their time entirely to prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, dhikr and supplication.
Iʿtikaf is not exclusive to Islam; it has appeared in other revealed religions and continues in Islam, although certain features and legal rulings may have been specified by Islamic law. Iʿtikaf is not strictly bound to a single time, but because fasting is typically required during iʿtikaf, it must be performed at a time when fasting is permitted by the sharīʿah. Whenever fasting is valid, iʿtikaf is also valid; however, the best time for iʿtikaf is the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, and the white days (Ayyām al-Biḍ) of Rajab are also recommended.
There is no single, universally agreed location rule. A widely held view is that iʿtikaf is only permissible in one of the four special mosques — al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (the Sacred Mosque in Mecca), al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina), the mosque of Kufa and the mosque of Basra — but a group of jurists permit performing iʿtikaf in the congregational mosque (the main mosque) of any city or region.
The word iʿtikaf is derived from the root ‘ʿ-k-f’, which means to turn toward or to adhere to something. In juridical terminology, iʿtikaf means remaining in the mosque with the intention of drawing near to God.
Iʿtikaf offers an opportunity for:
Drawing closer to God: By withdrawing from worldly distractions, the devotee attains a deeper connection with God.
Spiritual purification: Through worship and contemplation, the soul is cleansed and refined.
Strengthening faith: Iʿtikaf helps reinforce religious conviction and spiritual habits.
Self-improvement: Reflecting on Qur’anic verses and prophetic teachings leads to greater self-knowledge and insight into existence.
To perform iʿtikaf, certain conditions must be met; among the most important are:
Mosque: Iʿtikaf must take place in a mosque.
Intention (niyyah): The person must intend sincerely to perform iʿtikaf for the sake of drawing near to God.
Fasting: Fasting during the period of iʿtikaf is required.
Remaining in the mosque: The person must stay in the mosque for the duration of the iʿtikaf and not leave it.
Iʿtikaf has specific rulings and etiquettes that are elaborated in Islamic jurisprudence. Some of these rulings include:
Time of iʿtikaf: The best time for iʿtikaf is the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Minimum duration: The minimum recommended duration for iʿtikaf is three days.
Recommended practices: Recitation of the Qur’an, supplication, dhikr, seeking forgiveness, and performing night prayer (qiyām al-layl) are among the recommended acts during iʿtikaf.
Iʿtikaf brings many benefits to the person who undertakes it, including:
Inner peace and psychological calm: By stepping away from worldly concerns, iʿtikaf fosters serenity of mind and heart.
Strengthening social ties: Iʿtikaf offers opportunities to connect with fellow practitioners and build communal bonds.
Increasing religious knowledge: Reading the Qur’an and hadith during iʿtikaf deepens religious understanding.
Strengthening self-discipline: Iʿtikaf helps cultivate resolve and abstention from sin.
Iʿtikaf is a highly valuable act of worship that can have a profoundly positive effect on a person’s life. By participating in iʿtikaf one can attain inner tranquility, strengthen faith and experience spiritual growth.
