Whenever the month of RAMADAN is winding up and it is 10 days to the end of the blessed months, the elite Muslims usually go Itikaf which means seclusion or spiritual retreat.
They spend their days and nights at the mosque in order to ensure that they are there for whichever night Laylat al-Qadr occurs. A good number of them would visit the holy land in Mecca to spend the rest of the month. They use the opportunity to perform the lesser Hajj called Ummurah. This is the best place to observe Itikaf on earth and that is why you see the high and mighty in the society visit Saudi Arabia during this period.Those
who would not be travelling to Saudi Arabia look for a conducive Central Mosque in
town where they could lodge in Ihitikaf for the rest of Ramadan which is
considered the most important and rewarding period of the annual Muslim
fasting month.
The
elites during this period find a quality time to relate with their God without
any hindrance or distraction which may come from family, friends, neighbours,
and associates. Some even switched their mobile phones off for most of the
period they would be in seclusion. They only leave out a particular period as a
window to their family and people they wish to talk to. Indeed the last 10 days
of Ramadan are a big deal to Muslims particular the elites and they don’t joke
with it. Some of them fix their annual leave or vacation during this period to
maximize the benefits of the last 10days of Ramadan.
This
period is termed the period of Istijabah, a period when Allah answers all
prayers. Many Muslim elites don’t miss out of the opportunities therein as
every year they use the period to evaluate their level of spirituality and
closeness to Allah. They as well pray to Him to grant them their next desires
in life which always come to reality.
There
are a good number of top mosques in the city of Lagos that are known as
suitable places to observe the seclusion. We have the Lekki Central Mosque on
the Island, also there is the Syrian Mosque in Ikoyi. On the mainland, there
are the Albayan Central Mosque, Daru Naim Central Mosque, Jakande Central
Mosque, Oke-Afa and many others. Islamic Organizations also organize a well
structured Seclusion programme to accommodate intending delegates.
The
programme is well patronized that people had started booking slots right before
the commencement of the year’s fasting. Immediately Ramadan starts the entire
available slot would have been bought. Hardly would you be able to secure a
slot in any of the aforementioned mosques.
This week City People brings you why the elites don’t miss Ihitikaf and the things they do throughout the
last 10 days of Ramadan. Sit back to read and enjoy.
Itikaf
is a time to renew their relationship with Allah without the distractions of daily
life. It is like a spiritual retreat to renew and energize your soul. In fact,
another purpose of Itikaf is that you may fall in love with worshipping Allah
such that you will carry that feeling with you once your Ihitikaaf is over. In
other words, it helps to strengthen your faith in Allah and helps to further
perfect your worship of Him.
Itikaf
allows Muslims to take a timeout from the world and focus on the constant worship
of Allah. It reminds them of the essence of creation which is to worship and
please Allah. It helps them keep their hearts good and on the straight path as
we go out in the world. Itikaf helps strengthen and shield them against the
tricks and temptations of the evil spirits.
During
the last 10 nights of Ramadan, many try to spend the entire time in Itikaf so
they will not miss out on the rewards of Laylat al-Qadr. It is not known which
night Laylat al-Qadr will occur, except that it will occur on an odd number
night. Some choose to spend their days and nights in Itikaf only on the odd number
of days of the last 10 days of Ramadan, making their Itikaf intentions with
each time they enter the mosque.
Below
are the conditions under which a Muslim can observe Ihitikaaf?
(1)
BEING MUSLIM
The
first condition to performing Ihitikaaf is that the person is Muslim. Also,
note that children who have not reached an age of discernment do not
participate in Itikaf. The child must be able to eat, dress themselves, and
wash themselves without assistance. For those who follow the Hanafi School of
thought, this is typically around the age of seven for boys and around the age
of nine for girls.
(2) MUST BE OF SOUND MIND
What
this means is that a person must be able to make reasonable and rational
thoughts and decisions. To explain further, a person may not be drunk or under
the influence of drugs that may alter their state of mind. Also, a person who
has a mental illness where they cannot make decisions on their own does not
perform Itikaf.
(3)
NIYYAH
This
means intention. One must have the intention to participate in Itikaf for the
sake of Allah, not for the sake of being seen by others. Your intention must be
pure and focused on worshipping and pleasing Allah.
(4)
PERMISSION
Women
need to seek permission from their husbands before performing I’tikaf.
(5)
PERFORMED IN MASJID
It
is mentioned in Surat al-Baqarah 2:187 that Ihitikaaf is performed in a masjid.
While some may say it is okay to perform Itikaf at home, especially for women,
most scholars agree that this is simply not the case at all, because the Qur’an
says otherwise.
(6)
STATE OF WUDU
One
must be in a state of wudu (purification/cleanliness) to participate in Itikaf.
If a person’s wudu is nullified, such as using the bathroom, then the person
must perform ablution before continuing Itikaf. Although, if during sleep, one
has what is called a wet dream, one’s i'tikaf is not nullified but one must
perform ghusl (full-body purification) before continuing Itikaf.
(7)
FASTING
Fasting
is a requirement to perform Ihitikaf. Itikaf is mentioned in the Qur’an in
conjunction with the fasting of Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
would always fast during the time of his Ihitikaaf. However, some believe that
if a person has a medical condition, such as diabetes, that prevents him or her
from fasting, it is still permissible for that person to participate in
Itikaf. Please note that a medical condition differs from being ill, such as fever or nausea.
The
following are the many things a Muslim should do during Ihitikaaf:
(1)
OBSERVE FIVE DAILY PRAYERS:
It
is prescribed that all Muslims pray five daily (obligatory) prayers, so this is
obviously expected during Itikaf. It is also suggested that Muslims pray the
sunnah prayers (Nafl) with each of the obligatory prayers.
(2)
TARAWEEH
This
is the prayer that occurs after the Isha prayer during Ramadan. It can be within
the range of 8 and 20 Rakat (units of prayer), depending on who is leading
Taraweeh. By participating in Taraweeh, you will hear/recite the whole Qur’an
during the month of Ramadan.
(3)
NAFL PRAYERS:
During
i'tikaf, it is a good time to pray nafl (voluntary) prayers.
(4)
READ AND MEMORIZE QUR’AN:
Another
act of worshipping Allah is to read and study the Qur’an. Don’t just read the
Qur’an, study the Tafseer (interpretation) of the Qur’an. Also, take this time
to try to memorize and focus on tajweed (proper pronunciation) as much of the
Qur’an as you can.
(5)
READ AND MEMORIZE HADITHS
Also, spend time learning and even memorizing Sahih (authentic) hadiths. Also,
reflect on their meaning and how to apply them to your daily life.
(6)
MAKE DU’A
Be
sure to make plenty of du’a (prayer of worship). Compile a list of du’a to
learn and recite daily.
(7)
MAKE DHIKR
Also
spelt zikr, dhikr translates to remembrance. Itikaf is all about remembering
Allah and raising your level of taqwa (piety/consciousness of Allah).
(8)
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Although
social conversations should be kept to a minimum, there is great reward in not
just learning the Qur’an and ways to better worship Allah, but there are also
great rewards for anyone who spends time teaching and helping another person
perfect their acts of worship and knowledge.
–JAMIU
ABUBAKAR
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