Itikaf is a form of worship in which a male secludes himself in a musjid or a female that can seclude herself in an area of her home (or a masjid that has made arrangements for women to practice this ibaadah,) remains a practice that holds great importance in Islam. The virtues of Itikaf are abundantly clear and its practice has been highly regarded by Rasool (SAW) and the Sahaba.
One hadith, in particular, states that “whoever observes the ten days of Itikaf during Ramadan will obtain the reward of two Hajj and two Umrah.” (Bukhari) This alone is a significant incentive to perform Itikaf, as it offers a chance to earn immense rewards from Allah. Moreover, Aisha (RA) reported that Rasool (SAW) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away, after which his wives continued the practice. (Bukhari) Even Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam encouraged Itikaf and would perform it as well.
Beyond the rewards that come with Itikaf, one can have the opportunity to disconnect from the distractions of the outside world and dedicate time to acts of worship and reflection. Itikaf is a chance to break away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and find a sense of peace and tranquility. This break can provide a time to reflect on one’s spiritual goals, values, and priorities, and assess one’s life for any necessary changes in the relationship between self and Allah (SWT).
The Quran emphasizes the importance of disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of life as well. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (2:153) This verse highlights the importance of patience and prayer in times of hardship, but also the importance of seeking help from Allah through disconnecting from distractions and finding moments of stillness and reflection.
Moreover, the hadith also emphasize the virtues of utilizing five things before they slip away: your youth before you become old; your health before you fall sick; your wealth before you become poor; your free time before you become busy; and your life before your death. (Ibn Abbas – Bukhari) Itikaf offers a perfect opportunity to make use of one’s free time before it slips away.
If you have the time and ability to perform Itikaf, it is a means of seeking the blessings and mercy of Allah. By engaging in this practice, we can seek Allah’s pleasure and forgiveness, earning immense rewards in the Hereafter. Itikaf also provides an opportunity for self-reflection and self-improvement, as well as community building and strengthening bonds with fellow Muslims. Let us remind ourselves that Itikaf is a beautiful form of worship that can benefit us in this life and the Hereafter.