Bismillahi Rahamani Raheem.  Wasalatu wasalam ala seyidina Muhammad, wa ala alihi, wa ashabihi, wasselim.

“…And We commanded Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Ismaa’eel (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikaaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer)” (Qur’an2:125)

“And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I‘tikaaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques” (Qur’an2:187)

AISHA (radi-Allahu-anhaa) said that the Prophet (s.a.w) used to observe i’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul.

With regard to scholarly consensus, more than one of the scholars narrated that there was scholarly consensus that i’tikaaf is prescribed in sharee’ah, such as al Nawawi, Ibn Qudaamah, Shaykh al Islam Ibn Taymiyah, and others.

The last ten days of Ramadan may indeed be regarded as an intensive course of spiritual education which brings immediate positive results in a Muslim’s life through Itikaaf. One of the essence of Itikaaf is to seek Laylat al-Qadr and to use the night in worship.

That is because of the great virtue of that night of which Allah says: “The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (it means worshipping Allah in that night is lot more than a thousand months or  83 years and 4 months of worship)” [Suratul-Qadr 97:3].

The Prophet (s.a.w) strove to seek that night by observing Itikaaf during the first ten days, then he observed it during the middle ten, then he continued to observe i’tikaaf during the last ten days. That was his utmost effort to seek Laylat al-Qadr and he enjoined us to seek the night.

The major objects of i’tikaaf are:
*Being alone with Allah and cutting oneself off from wordly affairs, so that one may focus completely on Allah.
*Desire for spiritual renewal.
*Worship Allah with prayer, du’aa’, dhikr and reading Qur’an.
*Supplicating for forgiveness of sins and other heart desires.

It is prescribed to observe I’tikaaf in a mosque in which congregational prayers are held. If the period of i’tikaaf will include a Friday, it is better for the Mutakif to stay in a mosque where Jumat prayer is observed.

But what are those things he is expected to do? One should engage himself in recitation of Quran, seeking forgiveness of sins, duaa and performing other superrogatory prayers.

He should abstain from all types of sin and keep away from acts and scenes that could lure hi, to sin, thus deriving maximum benefit from the I’tikaf.  The Mu’takif should remember that he is the guest of Almighty Allah, therefore he should be extremely careful of his behaviour in the Mosque.

The main objective of I’tikaf is to seek Laylatul Qadr, therefore the Mu’takifeen (brothers in I’tikaf) should exert themselves during the odd nights of Ramadan.

The women can also perform the act of seclusion. Since it is performed in the mosque, the male perform theirs at the male section while the female also observe theirs at the female section.  It is not permissible to perform I’tikaf at home according to the notable scholars, Shafi’is, Malikis and Hanbalis.

But the major condition after all other pre-conditions must have been met, is to be in a state of purity.  Women in menstrual period and those in post-natal (nifas) bleeding of course cannot access the mosque.

The same rules which apply to a man observing I’tikaf in the masjid, apply to a woman. I wish to state here that although the Hanafis school of thought opine that women can observe I’tikaf in a place of seclusion at home but the popular opinion is that a woman can only perform I’tikaf in a masjid.  She must also seek permision from her husband.

Fasting is a condition for the I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan. Thus, I’tikaf without fasting will be considered a voluntary act.

In observing Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, movement out of the mosque is only permitted when safety is threathened. In that case, one can move from one mosque to another for safety.

Some of the permissible acts during Itikaaf are eating, drinking, sleeping, (excessive sleeping is discouraged) necessary conversation, (not idle talk) act of neatness such as changing cloths, or wearing light perfumes, walk inside the masjid and learning about the deen.

It is good to remain in wuduh (ablution) as much as possible. If his wudhu breaks, it will be permissible for him to leave the masjid for the purpose of wuduh, even if it is not yet time for salat. Similarly, it will be permissible for him to leave the masjid to make wudhu at night to enable him to sleep with wuduh.

Importance of Iftaar (2)
By Harun Razaq

ALSO, recognizing the importance of Iftaar is the United State of America, which has Muslims in the minority, has since 1996, through United States Department of State, held an annual Iftaar dinner for community leaders from US society and faith groups as well as foreign policy officials.

But, it is disheartening that many of the present Muslims in Nigeria particularly the rich do not value the act of providing Iftaar to the fasting Muslims; with exception of few Muslims who has in recent time been sponsoring Iftaar and one of them is Hon. Kazeem Ademola Alimi member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Eti-Osa Constituency I.

Societal reformation
He sponsored Iftaar  organized by TMC, Eti-Osa branch which was held at Ikota primary school, Eti-Osa. The event was highly commendable as its featured Iftaar and lecture entitled: Towards societal reformation by Shykh Zikrillah Shafi’.

We make a particular reference to this Iftaar here because the primary objective of a sermon is either to warn people of the evil they do commit or encourage them to embark on the good things they shy away from.

No doubt, Iftaar is famous among Muslims world-over owing to its importance during the month of Ramadan. Prominent in the act of sponsoring Iftaar are some individuals and organizations from Saudi Arabia who feed fasting Muslims in selected area annually.

But, it is disheartening that many of the present Muslims in Nigeria particularly the rich do not value the act of proving Iftaar to the fasting Muslims. With exception of few Muslims who have in recent time been sponsoring Iftaar. And one of them is Hon. Kazeem Ademola Alimi member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Eti-Osa Constituency I.

He sponsored Iftaar organized by TMC, Eti-Osa branch which was held at Ikota primary school, Eti-Osa. The event was highly commendable as it featured Iftaar and lecture entitled: Towards societal reformation by Shykh Zikrillah Shafi’.

We make a particular reference to this Iftaar here because the primary objective of a sermon is either to warn people or encourage them to embark on good deeds they always shy away from.