I don’t have time to do I’tekaaf for the whole 10 days. Can I do I’tekaaf for less than that?

𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵❓

I don’t have time to do I’tekaaf for the whole 10 days. Can I do I’tekaaf for less than that?

𝑨𝑵𝑺𝑾𝑬𝑹❗️

Although, it is from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam to observe I’tekaaf in the masjid for the whole last 10 days of Ramadan, it is allowed and valid to observe I’tekaaf for even less than that.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: “I’tikaaf means staying in the masjid to worship Allaah, whether that is for a long time or a short time, because as far as I know there is no report to indicate a set time, whether one or two days or more. ....This applies equally to men and women.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/441)

And Ibn Hazm said: “I’tekaaf in the language of the Arabs means staying… any stay in the masjid for the sake of Allaah with the intention of drawing closer to Him is i’tekaaf, whether that is for a short time or a long time, because the Qur’aan and Sunnah do not specify any number or length of time.”

(Al-Muhalla, 5/179)

Alhamdulillaah, it still counts as I’tekaaf even if we stay for less than 10 days. Obviously, the longer the stay the bigger the reward. So try and stay in the masjid during the last ten days of Ramadan, maybe over the weekend or for a day or two or more or less, whatever is possible for you. You can do it even for a few hours! Next time you go to the Masjid for your prayer, make your intention to observe I’tekaaf, even if it is just for a few hours.

Plan to stay just a little while longer and turn a simple trip for prayer into a means of earning immense rewards of I’tekaaf as well as the reward of fulfilling a Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.

Dedicate your time to the worship of Allaah to the best of you ability. Read Nawaafil, recite the Qur’aan or just make dhikr and istighfaar and Duaa.

And don’t forget to say the Duaa that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam taught Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa to say on the Night of Qadr.

Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’

He said, ‘Say:

اللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيْ

Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni

“O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (at-Tirmidhi -saheeh)

But do remember that I’tekaaf is valid in the masjid and not at home.

And Allaah knows best.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐒𝐀𝐏𝐏👇

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This text is one of the many fatwa (answers to questions based on authentic Islamic provisions) that are made available by Malam Khamis Yusuf. You can follow him on Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.