Ramadan is special, not only because of the fasting during the day, but also because there are precious moments at night. One of the practices that is often done in this blessed month is spending the night in the mosque during Ramadan to do i’tikaf. So, does i’tikaf have to be done for ten full days? What if it can only be done for a few nights? Let’s discuss it thoroughly!
Staying in the Mosque During Ramadan, a Sunnah Practice Exemplified by the Prophet ﷺ
I’tikaf is a form of worship performed by staying in the mosque to get closer to Allah ﷻ. This is the habit of the Prophet ﷺ, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
ولا تباشراوهنّ وأنتمع عاكفونَ في المساجدِ
“Do not have any interaction with them while you are performing i’tikaf in the mosque.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 187)
From this verse it is clear that i’tikaf is done in the mosque, not at home or other places. And if we trace the authentic hadiths, it turns out that the Prophet ﷺ routinely did i’tikaf every year in the last ten nights of Ramadan, hoping to get the night of Lailatul Qadar.
From Aisyah radhiyallahu ‘anha, he said:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
“That the Prophet ﷺ always performed i’tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan until he died, then his wives performed i’tikaf after him.” (HR. Bukhari no. 2026, Muslim no. 1172)
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Does I’tikaf Have to Be Ten Full Days?
Not necessarily! The majority of scholars are of the opinion that there is no minimum limit for i’tikaf. In fact, just sitting for a while in the mosque with the intention of i’tikaf can already earn rewards.
Imam Nawawi said:
“According to our school (Shafi’iyah), the minimum time for i’tikaf is a moment (لحظة) in the mosque.” (Al-Majmu’, 6/514)
So, if you can’t do the full ten days, you can still spend the night in the mosque during Ramadan, even if it’s only one night, or even a few hours in between your busy work schedule.
Also read: Tips for a Productive I’tikaf During the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan
Is It Permissible to Do I’tikaf Only at Night?
Of course it is! If you have a job during the day, you can still enliven the nights of Ramadan by spending the night in the mosque during Ramadan.
From Umar bin Khattab radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he once asked the Prophet ﷺ:
يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إنِّي نَذَرْتُ في الجَاهِلِيَّةِ أنْ أعْتَكِفَ لَيْلَةً في المَسْجِدِ الحَرَامِ، قالَ: أَوْفِ بِنَذْرِكَ
“O Messenger of Allah, I made a vow during the time of ignorance to perform i’tikaf for one night in the Grand Mosque.” So he ﷺ said, “Fulfill your vow.” (HR.Bukhari no.2032)
This hadith shows that i’tikaf at night is still considered valid, even if it is not done all day.
Imagine, after the Tarawih prayer, you can increase your worship such as reading the Qur’an, dhikr, and reflecting on life in the mosque. Then, after Subuh, you can go back to work as usual. Flexible, right?
Also read: Worship During Ramadan While Commuting
Things That Cancel I’tikaf
To avoid misunderstanding, there are several things that can cancel i’tikaf, including:
- Leaving the mosque without a valid reason.
- Having sexual intercourse.
- Doing things that are contrary to the purpose of i’tikaf.
While eating, drinking, and sleeping in the mosque are not a problem. In fact, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions also did it.
From Ibn Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhuma, he said:
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا اعْتَكَفَ يُدْنَى إِلَيْهِ رَأْسُهُ فَيُرَجِّلُهُ وَكَانَ لَا يَدْخُلُ الْبَيْتَ إِلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ إِذَا كَانَ مُعْتَكِفًا
“The Prophet ﷺ when he was in i’tikaf, he brought his head close to Aisha to be combed. And he did not enter the house except for urgent needs.” (Narrated by Bukhari no. 2029 and Muslim no. 2974)
This hadith shows that even though he was in i’tikaf, the Prophet ﷺ still did things that were necessary, such as tidying his hair. This confirms that eating, drinking, and sleeping in the mosque are still allowed as long as they are within reasonable limits.
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What Should You Do During I’tikaf?
While spending the night in the mosque during Ramadan, fill your time with practices that bring you closer to Allah ﷻ. Some acts of worship that can be done:
- Night prayer (qiyamul lail), especially in the last third of the night.
- Reading and contemplating the Qur’an.
- Dhikr and prayer, including increasing istighfar.
- Reflecting on life and improving yourself.
The main purpose of i’tikaf is to improve our relationship with Allah ﷻ. So, don’t waste your time chatting about things that are less useful.
Khatimah
Spent the night in the mosque during Ramadan is not only for those who have a lot of free time. Even though you are busy, you can still set aside time for i’tikaf, even if it is only for one night or a few hours. What is important is our intention and effort to get closer to Allah ﷻ.
So, are you ready to welcome blessed nights by spending the night in the mosque during Ramadan?
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References
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Retrieved from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Retrieved from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Imam Nawawi in Al-Majmu’, 6/514 on the minimum limits of i’tikaf
