This article will clarify inside and out the definition, excellencies, term, and states of itikaf—just as give some data on what you ought to do during this time and which acts can invalidate it.
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
(For the sake of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)
What Is Itikaf?
Itikaf is viewed as a kind of profound retreat. During the most recent 10 days of Ramadan, numerous Muslims go through their days and evenings at the mosque (masjid) to guarantee that they are there for whichever night Laylat al-Qadr happens. This is called itikaf. In a real sense interpreted, it is an Arabic word that signifies "to segregate oneself and to adhere or cling to something."
Described by Aisha, the spouse of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):
"The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to rehearse Itikaf over the most recent ten days of Ramadan till he passed on and afterward his spouses used to rehearse Itikaf after him."
Three Types of Itikaf
Sunnah: This is the itikaf performed during the most recent 10 days of Ramadan.
Nafl: Itikaf can be performed on quickly/evening of the year. This is viewed as a nafl (deliberate) act.
Wajib: If you have made a pledge to perform itikaf, at that point it is obligatory (wajib) that you do as such. This could be making a pledge to Allah, for example, through niyyat (aim) to perform itikaf or a promise dependent on a condition. This implies saying or thinking: "If this thing occurs, I will make itikaf for certain number of days."
The fundamental reason for itikaf is to eliminate yourself from interruptions and spotlight exclusively on the love of Allah, as Allah made us to do.
Whosoever for the wellbeing of Allah did even one day's Itikaf, Allah would get him far from Jahannam (damnation) by channels.
— Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), [Tabarani]
What Are the Virtues of Itikaf?
To comprehend the excellencies of itikaf, one requirements to comprehend the reason for it and why it is recommended that it be done, regardless of whether during Ramadan or outside of it. The principle reason for itikaf is to eliminate yourself from interruptions and spotlight exclusively on the love of Allah, as Allah made us to do.
Recharging Your Relationship With Allah
Itikaf is an opportunity to recharge your relationship with Allah without the interruptions of every day life. It resembles an otherworldly retreat to reestablish and empower your spirit. Actually, another reason for itikaf is so you may begin to look all starry eyed at adoring Allah with the end goal that you will convey that feeling with you once your itikaf is finished. As such, it assists with fortifying your confidence in Allah and assists with encouraging ideal your love of Him.
The Heart Is the Core of Deeds
The center of all deeds is the heart, as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated:
"In the body there is an organ which in the event that it is sound, the whole body will be sound, and in the event that it is degenerate, the whole body will be degenerate. That organ is the heart."
In this hadith—record of the conventions or truisms of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)— the message talks about the heart similar to the center of the entirety of our activities. This world has numerous enticements, preliminaries, and hardships. It can impact the activities of our heart. Itikaf permits you to take a break from the world and spotlight on steady love of Allah—to advise us that we are here to revere and satisfy Allah. It encourages us keep our heart great and on the straight way as we go out on the planet. Itikaf can assist one with fortifying one's shield against the stunts and allurements of shaitan (insidious spirits).
As described by Abu Huraira:
"The Prophet used to perform Itikaf consistently in the long stretch of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the time of his demise, he remained in Itikaf for twenty days."
He who notices the ten days Itikaf during Ramadan will get the thawab of two Hajj and two Umrah. [Bayhaqi]
— Ali Ibn Husain, describing from his dad the expressions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)
What Is the Time and Duration of Itikaf?
There is by all accounts shifting assessments on the time and length of itikaf, contingent upon which way of thinking you follow.
For nafl and wajib itikaf, it is concurred that the term relies upon your goal and can start whenever of the day or night. So on the off chance that you plan or pledge to Allah to be in itikaf for one day, at that point do as such for one day; in the event that for two days, at that point do as such for two days, and so on A few researchers state that on the off chance that one can't do the whole 24-hour term, at that point it is allowable for an individual to make the aim for the set measure of time for itikaf.
During the most recent 10 evenings of Ramadan, many attempt to invest the whole energy in itikaf so they won't pass up a great opportunity of the compensations of Laylat al-Qadr. It isn't known which night Laylat al-Qadr will happen, then again, actually it will happen on an odd number night. Some decide to go through their days and evenings in itikaf just on the odd number days of the most recent 10 days of Ramadan, making their itikaf expectations with each time they enter the masjid.
When would it be advisable for you to start your itikaf?
To the extent when an individual should start their itikaf, there is by all accounts a fluctuation in sentiment too. There are a couple of hadiths that notice that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would start his itikaf at the hour of Maghrib supplication, and numerous hadiths that notice that he would start his itikaf at the hour of Fajr petition. So it relies on the adherent and their goals.
"At the point when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) needed to notice itikaf, he would implore Fajr at that point enter his place of itikaf." - Aisha [Bukari 1928 and 2041, Muslim
On the off chance that the aim is there to do as such, itikaf could last a couple of hours. For instance, it is empowered, yet not obligatory, to be in a condition of itikaf during the hour of Fajr until the sun rises and to be in a condition of itikaf from Maghrib until the finish of Isha petition.
What's more, don't have relations with them as long as you are remaining for love in the mosques. These are the cutoff points [set by] Allah, so don't move toward them. Along these lines does Allah clarify His laws to the individuals that they may get honest.
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What Are the Conditions of Itikaf?
Being Muslim: The primary condition to performing itikaf is that the individual be Muslim. Additionally, note that kids who have not arrived at a time of wisdom (sin at-tamyiz) don't take an interest in itikaf. The kid must have the option to eat, dress themselves, and wash themselves without help. For the individuals who follow the Hanafi way of thinking, this is ordinarily around the age of seven for young men and around the age of nine for young ladies.
Must be of sound brain: What this implies is that an individual must have the option to settle on sensible and levelheaded considerations and choices. To clarify further, an individual may not be flushed or affected by drugs that may modify their perspective. Additionally, an individual who has a psychological instability where they can't settle on choices all alone doesn't perform itikaf.
Niyyah: This implies expectation. One must have the goal to partake in itikaf for Allah, not for being seen by others. Your expectation must be unadulterated and centered around revering and satisfying Allah.
Authorization: Women need to ask consent from their spouses prior to performing itikaf.
Acted in masjid: It is referenced in Surat al-Baqarah 2:187 that itikaf is acted in a masjid. While some may state it is alright to perform itikaf at home, particularly for ladies, most researchers concur that this is just not the situation by any stretch of the imagination, in light of the fact that the Qur'an says something else.
Condition of wudu: One must be in a condition of wudu (filtration/neatness) to take an interest in itikaf. On the off chance that an individual's wudu is invalidated, for example, utilizing the restroom, at that point the individual must wudu prior to proceeding itikaf. In spite of the fact that, if during rest, one has what is known as a wet dream, one's itikaf isn't invalidated yet one must ghusl (full body cleaning) prior to proceeding itikaf.
Fasting: By most ways of thinking, fasting is a necessity to perform itikaf. Itikaf is referenced in the Qur'an related to the fasting of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would in every case quick during the hour of his itikaf. Notwithstanding, some accept that if an individual has an ailment, for example, diabetes, that keeps the person in question from fasting, that it is as yet allowable for that individual to take an interest in itikaf. It would be ideal if you note that an ailment varies from being sick, for example, with fever or sickness.
The Sunnah for the individual who is in Itikaf is that he ought not visit the wiped out or go to burial services, or contact his better half or have sex with her, or go out for any yet the most squeezing of necessities. There is no Itikaf aside from with fasting, and there is no Itikaf aside from in a Masjid.
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What Should You Bring to Itikaf?
Here is a rundown of things to bring to itikaf:
Qur'an
Hadith books
Books on tafseer
Materials on tajweed
Journal and pencil or pens
Change of garments
Nourishment for suhoor and iftar
Cushion and cover (discretionary)
Zikr (or dhikr) means recognition—itikaf is tied in with recollecting Allah and raising your degree of taqwa.
What to Do During Itikaf
Five day by day supplications: It is endorsed that all Muslims implore five day by day fard (compulsory) petitions, so this is clearly expected during itikaf. It is additionally recommended that Muslims implore the sunnah petitions with each of the fard supplications.
Taraweeh: This is the supplication that happens after Isha petition during Ram
