The Rulings of Ramadan: A Comprehensive Guideline

12. AL-I'ATIKAAF (Seclusion in the mosque)

The meaning of I'atikaaf

It means to be established on something. So for the person who commits himself to be in the masjid is called a Mu'takiff (i.e. one who is involved in I'atikaaf).

Its Ruling

It is recommended during Ramadaan as well as any other time during the year. It is also established that the Messenger (S) did I'atikaaf in the Masjid during the last ten days of Shawaal. [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

So 'Umar (R) said to the Prophet (S): "I made an oath during Jaahiliyyah to do I'atikaaf for one night in the Masjid al-Haram (the masjid in Makka - the Ka'bah)." He said: "Fulfill your oath [so he did it for one night]." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

It is definitely much better to do I'atikaaf in Ramadaan as this was the regular practice of the Prophet (S). It is narrated from Abu Huraira (R) who said: "The Messenger of Allah (S) used to do I'atikaaf during every Ramadaan for ten days, but in the year when he died he did I'atikaaf for twenty days." [Bukhaaree]

Also it is best to do it for the last ten days of Ramadaan because: "The prophet used to do I'atikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan until he died." [Bukhaaree]

Its conditions

It is not allowed to do I'atikaaf except in the Masjid. Allah (T) said, which means:

{... and do not have sexual intercourse with them while you are doing I'atikaaf in the Maasajid...} [Baqarah 2:187]

It is also recommended that the one who does I'atikaaf should also fast as is related from 'Aeisha ( R ).

I'atikaaf is not to be done in any Masjid. The statement of the Messenger of Allah (S) restricts it to only three. He said: "There is no I'atikaaf except in the three Masjids." (The Kaabah, The Prophet's Masjid and Baital - Muqaddis in Jerusalem)

What is allowed for the one who is doing I'tikaaf

It is allowed for him to leave the Masjid to fulfill any need that he has. 'Aeishah (R) said: "He would not enter the house except if he had some need to fulfill while he made I'atikaaf." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

It is allowed for the person who is in I'atikaaf to put his head out of the Masjid for it is to be washed or combed. Ae'ishah (R) said: The Messenger (S) use to enter his head into my house while he was in I'atikaaf and then I would comb his hair. [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

It is allowed for the one who does I'atikaaf and other than him to perform wudoo in the masjid. "The Messenger (S) performed a light wudhoo in the Masjid." [Ahmad]

It is allowed for him to erect a small tent at the rear of the masjid for his I'atikaaf.

It is allowed for him to have a mattress for his bed in the masjid as is established from the Messenger (S).