Fasting

I‘tikaf: the Spiritual Retreat in the Mosque

I‘tikaf means staying in the mosque with the intention of worship. ‘A’ishah reported that the Prophet ﷺ performed i‘tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul, and his wives did so after him (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

Its purpose

I‘tikaf frees the heart from daily distractions to devote it to prayer, Qur’an, dhikr and du‘a, especially to seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights. It is a Sunnah at any time and is most emphasised in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Conditions

Being Muslim and sane, with the intention of i‘tikaf.
Staying in a mosque: for men a mosque where congregational prayers are held; women may also perform it in the mosque, in an appropriate place, and the Hanafi school allows it in the prayer room of the home.
Being free of major impurity.
Fasting is a condition according to the Malikis and Hanafis (for the obligatory i‘tikaf), not according to the Shafi‘is and Hanbalis.

How to perform the last ten days

Enter the mosque before sunset on the 20th of Ramadan (the eve of the 21st night) and leave after sunset on the last day, or after the Eid prayer, as some of the early Muslims preferred. Shorter i‘tikaf, even for part of a day, is valid according to many scholars.

What is allowed and what breaks it

One may leave the mosque for necessities: using the toilet, ghusl, eating if no one brings food. Visiting the sick or attending a funeral is allowed only if stipulated at the start, according to some scholars. Marital relations and leaving without need break the i‘tikaf.

Seeking Laylat al-Qadr during i‘tikaf

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Seek it in the odd nights of the last ten” (al-Bukhari). Among its signs, the sun rises the next morning without strong rays (Muslim), but the believer should not wait for signs: worship every night of the ten and you will not miss it.

‘A’ishah asked what to say if she found the night, and he taught her: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni” — O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me (at-Tirmidhi). Fill the night with prayer, recitation, this du‘a and sincere repentance.

In brief

I‘tikaf is staying in the mosque for worship.
The Prophet ﷺ made it in the last ten days of Ramadan every year.
It needs intention and a mosque, preferably one with Friday prayers.
Leaving without need interrupts it; intercourse annuls it.
It is the best way to seek Laylat al-Qadr.

A closing note

Whoever cannot make i‘tikaf for the full ten days need not miss its spirit. Set aside hours alone with Allah, in the mosque or at home: speak less, put away distractions and turn to the Qur’an, remembrance and du‘a. The effect on the heart will carry you through the rest of the year.

Questions and answers

Can I do i‘tikaf for just one night?

Yes. Many scholars allow i‘tikaf for any period, and spending one or several nights of the last ten in the mosque is a great act of worship.

Can I make i‘tikaf only at night because of work?

Many scholars allow i‘tikaf for a shorter period, such as a night, for those who cannot stay the full ten days.

Useful tools

Ramadan 2027