Virtues Of Itikaaf
It used to be the general practice of the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him, to perform Itikaaf in the Holy month of Ramadan. At times, he used to remain in the masjid for the whole month and in the year of his demise, he was in Itikaaf for twenty days. Because he usually secluded himself in the masjid for the last ten days of Ramadan, the ulama consider it a Sunnah to perform Itikaf for that period.
Ibn Abbas relates that the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The person performing Itikaaf remains free from sins and he is indeed given the same reward as those who do good deeds (despite not having done these deeds). (Ibn Majah)
This hadith mentions two great benefits of Itikaaf. The first is that the person performing Itikaaf avoids sins. The world around us is full of temptations, and more often than not, one falls into them. To commit sins in this blessed month is indeed a great injustice to ourselves. Through remaining secluded in the masjid, one completely avoids the temptation of sinning.
Another benefit is that when one is secluded in the masjid, one may appear to be at a disadvantage by not being able to perform certain good deeds, such as joining in funeral prayers, attending burials, or visiting the sick. But according to this hadith, one is rewarded for even those deeds which he could not perform as a result of his Itikaaf.
Worship
The purpose of our creation is to worship our Creator.
And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. (Surah 51)
This verse is telling us that Allah created man for His worship, and that He will reward him fully for his obedience but will punish him for His disobedience. This verse also makes clear the fact that we are dependent upon Him for our survival, while He has no need for us.
This point has also been made in a hadith, recorded by Ahmad in which the Prophet Peace and blessings be upon him stated that Allah the Almighty says, “O son of Adam engage and devote yourself in My worship and I will fill your heart with contentment and I will fulfil your needs but (on the other hand) if you do not do this, I will fill your heart with concern and apprehension and nor will I provide for you.”
One of the most effective ways of carrying out this command is by performing Itikaaf since it is one of the most efficient means of fulfilling the purpose of worship.
What Is Itikaaf?
Literally, Itikaaf means to apply oneself assiduously to something. Technically (in the terminology of the Shariah), it means to remain in a masjid (where the five times daily prayers are held) with the intention of worship.
What Is The Purpose Of Itikaaf?
Mankind has been created to worship Allah. Islam has designated many forms of worship for the fulfilment of this aim. Itikaaf enjoys superiority over other methods of worship because it encompasses many other forms of worship within itself.
Is Itikaaf Compulsory?
There are three types of Itikaaf.
1. Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan. This is sunnah.
2. Itikaaf on any other day is nafl (voluntary).
3. Itikaaf as a result of a vow (e.g. someone vowed that if a certain desire of his/her was fulfilled, he/she would perform Itikaaf for two days). The performance of this Itikaaf is waajib (necessary).
Benefits Of Itikaaf
A person doing Itikaaf (mutakif) will be able to perform his salat on time with the congregation, hence acquiring the reward of salat with the congregation, which is twenty-seven times more than performing it alone. On the other hand, the layman outside will not attain this great reward with such consistency because of distractions and preoccupation, especially in this modern age.
1. Itikaaf makes it easy to perform salat with full devotion because the mutakif breaks all ties with the outside world and is in a state of tranquillity, where he is free from everything that diverts him from Allah’s remembrance. This leaves him to focus his mind solely towards Allah’s obedience and happiness.
And seek help in patience and As-salat (the prayer), and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khaashi’un (i.e. the true believers in Allah – those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise and in His Warning). (They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return. (Surah 2)
Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil, vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden). Surah 23)
2. More voluntary prayers will be performed by a mutakif because he aims to worship his Lord and to build up a close tie with Him, and the best way of achieving this is by performing salat.
Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The bondsman is closest to his Lord while he is in prostration, so increase your supplications.” (Muslim)
Ubaadah ibn Saamit narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him, saying, “Whenever a bondsman prostrates before Allah, He has a good deed written down for him and a sin wiped off and raises him a rank higher, so prostrate as much as you can.” (Ibn Maaja)
3. Another benefit of Itikaaf is that the mutakif can perform his prayer in the first row. It is very easy for him to derive the full benefit of offering prayer in this row.
Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Had the people known the reward of azan and the first row, they would most certainly draw lots (to decide who should give the azan and stand in the first row). (Bukhari)
4. The mutakif gains the reward of waiting for salat. The Prophet, Peace and blessings be upon him, said, “You will be regarded as performing salat while you are waiting for salat and the angels supplicate saying, O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him as long as he does not leave his prayer place or break wind.” (Bukhari)
5. One benefit of Itikaaf is that it makes a person accustomed to staying in the masjid for a long period and creates an attachment between him and the masjid.
The Prophet, Peace and blessings be upon him, said, “From amongst the seven whom Allah will give shade to on the day when there will be no shade except His shade, will be that person whose heart was attached to the masjid.” (Bukhari)
6. It becomes easy to perform the Tahajjud prayer. Normally, this is very difficult for a person because Satan tries hard to stop a person from offering this prayer and deprive him of its great reward.