Chapter on i'tikaf (spiritual retreat)

Hadith.2092 - In a narration from Abdullah ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdullah (as), it is reported: "The one performing i'tikaf in Mecca may pray in any of its houses; it is the same whether they pray in the mosque or in its houses."

Hadith.2093 - In a narration from Mansur ibn Hazim, from Abu Abdullah (as), it is reported: "The one performing i'tikaf in Mecca may pray in any of its houses as they wish. However, the one performing i'tikaf elsewhere must pray only in the specific mosque designated for their i'tikaf."

"I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman whose husband was absent. While she was performing i'tikaf with her husband's permission, he returned, and upon hearing of his arrival, she left the mosque where she was performing i'tikaf, prepared herself for him, and engaged in intimacy with him. Imam (as) said: 'If she left the mosque before completing three days and had not stipulated any conditions for her i'tikaf, then she incurs the same penalty as that of one who has taken a vow of zihar (penalty for breaking a serious vow).'"

"I'tikaf cannot be for less than three days. Whoever performs i'tikaf must fast, and it is appropriate for the one performing i'tikaf to make a stipulation, just as one who enters into ihram (for pilgrimage) makes a stipulation."

"If a man begins i'tikaf for one day and has not made any stipulation, he is allowed to leave and break his i'tikaf. However, if he has completed two days without making a stipulation, he is not permitted to break his i'tikaf until three days have been completed."

"The one performing i'tikaf must not smell perfume, enjoy fragrant plants, engage in argumentation, buy, or sell." Imam (as) further said: "Whoever performs i'tikaf for three days has the option on the fourth day: if they wish, they may continue for another three days, or if they wish, they may leave the mosque. However, if they stay for two days after the initial three, they must complete another three days and not leave the mosque until they have done so."

"I was in Medina during the Month of Ramadan, and I said to Abu Abdullah (as): 'I wish to perform i'tikaf. What should I say, and what should I make obligatory upon myself?' Imam (as) said: 'Do not leave the mosque except for an unavoidable necessity, and do not sit under any shade until you return to your place in the mosque.'"

"It is not appropriate for the one performing i'tikaf to leave the mosque except for an unavoidable necessity, and they should not sit until they return. They should only leave for attending a funeral or visiting a sick person, and even then, they should not sit until they return to the mosque. The i'tikaf of a woman is the same as this."

Hadith.2100 - In a narration from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Abdur-Rahman ibn Al-Hajjaj, from Abu Abdullah (as), it is reported: "If the one performing i'tikaf falls ill, or if the woman performing i'tikaf experiences menstruation, they may return to their home. Once they recover, they should resume their i'tikaf and complete it while fasting."

the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "Performing i'tikaf for ten days in the Month of Ramadan is equivalent to two Hajj and two Umrah."

"I asked Abu Ja'far (as) about the ruling on an individual performing i'tikaf who engages in sexual relations. Imam (as) said: 'If they do so, they incur the same penalty as one who has taken a vow of zihar (atonement).'" It has also been narrated: "If they engage in sexual relations during the night, they must pay one expiation. However, if they engage in sexual relations during the day, they must pay two expiations."

"I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who engaged in sexual relations with his wife at night while performing i'tikaf during the Month of Ramadan. Imam (as) said: 'He must pay one expiation.' I then asked: 'What if he engaged in sexual relations during the day?' Imam (as) said: 'He must pay two expiations.'"

"I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a person performing i'tikaf who engaged in sexual relations with their spouse. Imam (as) said: 'They are like one who has broken their fast on a day of Month of Ramadan.'"

"The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) performed i'tikaf in the first ten days of Month of Ramadan, then in the second ten days (the middle ten), and then in the last ten days. After that, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) consistently performed i'tikaf in the last ten days of Month of Ramadan."

"She should return to her home, and when she becomes pure, she should return and make up for what she missed."

"They must not approach their wife, neither by night nor by day, while they are in i'tikaf."

"I was sitting with Imam Al-Hasan ibn Ali (as) when a man came to him and said, 'O son of the Messenger of Allah (swt), so-and-so has a debt against me, and he intends to imprison me.' Imam Al-Hasan (as) said: 'By Allah (swt), I have no money to repay your debt.' The man then said: 'Could you speak to him on my behalf?' Imam Al-Hasan (as) put on his sandals. I said to Imam (as): 'O son of the Messenger of Allah (swt), have you forgotten your i'tikaf?' Imam (as) replied: 'I have not forgotten. But I heard my father (as) narrating from my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), who said: “Whoever strives to fulfill the need of his Muslim brother, it is as if he worshipped Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, for nine thousand years, fasting during the day and standing in prayer at night.”'