Ramazan- the ninth lunar month, leader of the twelfth months of the Islamic calendar , has its crest in the last 9/10days in which there is Shabe-qadre and I’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) to obtain it. As per Part 1, Surat No.2 Ayat No. 125 and Part.2,Surat No 2. Ayat No. 187 of holy book of the Quran practice of I’takaf had been there before Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who too followed and it became sunnat (tradition of the holy Prophet SW). In the first year Prophet (SAW) held it in first 10 days, then for the second succeeding 10 days. Removing the mat from his Turkish tent, the Gracious Majesty SAW took out his beatific head and told his disciples that he did it with resolve for searching shabe-qadre but was told by someone (Angel) that that night was in the last 9/10 days of the month so hold to it firmly. This night was shown to him but exact date was removed from His memory go also the sayings of Prophet SAW. In the last year of his life Prophet SW performed I’tikaf for 20 days as the arch Angel made two rounds instead of its usual practice of one round in one Ashrah (10) days). By this act floats validity of 20 days I’tikaf also. I’tikaf for full month is also legal. Requital of I’tikaf is equal to two Hajjs and two Umrahs. As per narration one who has done retirement with the intention of reward all his previous sins are forgiven. Magnificence of retirement can be gauged by the edict that every moment of a person on religious solitude in the mosque is considered to be worship even though he may be asleep.
Literally I’tikaf means to stop or to be stopped. In shriah terminology I’tikaf means( retirement to mosque for continuing prayers/worship) when a person holding fasts remains in seclusion in a home or mosque with the intention of offering prayers/worship only for a certain fixed period and does not go out except in case of inevitable needs . To remain with intention of worship is its member and intention & to be in mosque are its conditions otherwise it will be corrupt. For celebrating I’tikaf a person must be , (a) muslim , (b) wise, (c) free from menses/discharge of blood of child birth, loss of sperma, (d) adult being no condition except prudence ; and (e) masculinity or freedom is no bar so I’tikaf by woman or slave are also true. Its Wisdom is that a person in a mosque will ever remain busy with prayers, worship, reciting of the Quran, remembrance/commemoration, offering benediction and salutes to Prophet SW, away from thinking / acting trash, so as to beseech the blessings of and forgiveness from Allah. It is the most important worship aiming at detaching the heart, soul and mind from the mundane affairs which is a false screen and to surrender & consign to Allah for attaining divine pardon and to keep safe from the allurements of satan. Its aims & objectives are to benefit from virtues, piety, chastity, continence, requital and advantages of shabe-qadre so that Allah’s servants will search and struggle for it in the last 10/9 nights. Some religious scholars hold it to be in the last 5 odd nights and some are specific about 27th night. As per holy book of the Quran Part. 30, Surant No.97 containing five verses shabe-qadre is mentioned to be better than recognised & accepted worship of more than 1,000 months. It is a night magnum bonum in which lakhs of flagitious people are freed from the hell for heavenly abode.
I’tiakaf in the last 10 days of Ramazan is sunnate-mokadah-ul-kifaih meaning that if a person of a mohalla undergoes retirement in the mohalla mosque all the people are absolved of the emphatic responsibility of the tradition otherwise all will earn sin. I’tikaf by an underage but intelligent child is correct but will not free the Mohalla from the responsibility of retirement by an adult. I’tikaf for less than 10/9 days will be Nafli. Persons hired for I’tikaf will not do. It is directed to undergo seclusion in own mohalla mosque, if there is none, because it is excellent to earn reward first for self and also to save the mohalla from the divine vengeance. Females can also perform I’tikaf for which their home is as good a mosque. However, they have to seek permission from their husbands, if married and the husbands are desired to allow them. They can do it in a specified aloof place where they used to do worship. If there is no specified place , it may be selected and baggage etc, laid there, I’tikaf will go right. If they leave the fixed place and move here and there solitude will vanish. Retirement in mosque by a woman is mukrohi-tehremi. If any woman has undergone obligatory retirement in mosque, obligation is over ,however, sin of unbecoming act will attach. I’tikaf by transvestites is correct in mosque and not in home. Even after migrating to Madinah Prophet SAW did not abandon I’tikaf till his departure from this world and thereafter his beloved wives –esteemed mothers of faithful believers, continued it. Let us be amongst the performers for entitlement to absolution.
[The author is a former Sr. Audit Officer working as Consultant in the A.G’s Office Srinagar.]