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Learn MoreItikaf in Islam is one of the most enriching acts in Islam. It consists of seclusion from the worldly life for the last ten days of Ramadan, giving the perfect opportunity to retract from the distractions of this life and to focus on your connection with your Lord.
Itikaf in the Arabic dialect means ‘to isolate’ or ‘be devoted’ to something. The last ten days of Ramadan spent in Itikaf lets you hit pause on the day-to-day duties of life, removing yourself from the distractions of this world to seek the closeness of Allah through Worship and Remembrance of Him.
It has been narrated that the Prophet (SAW) “used to perform Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty & Majestic, took him.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad {PBUH) performing Itikaf highlights the importance of it.
Ramadan is the perfect time to reflect and renew your spiritual self. The last ten days of Ramadan play an important role in seeking the closeness of Allah, as one of the nights within those ten days entail the night of Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power. Laylatul Qadr holds a significance over any other night as it has been described by Allah (SWT) as being better than a thousand months.
“We have indeed revealed this in the ‘Night of Power’. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand. Peace! This until the rise of Morn!” [Quran 97:1-5]
There are several Itikaf benefits when performed. Itikaf provides time for self-reflection and encourages acts of repentance. Not only is it Sunnah to sit in Itikaf, but there is reward for every moment spent in Itikaf for carrying out the remembrance of Allah.
Below are some of the spiritual benefits of Itikaf.
In the calmness of Itikaf, one of the spiritual benefits of it is the perfect opportunity to deepen your connection with Allah, through dedicated time for prayer and recitation of the Quran, helping you renew your relationship with your Creator.
Extra worship of Allah is one of the best ways to get close to Him. Though Itikaf is not a mandatory act, it is a form of extra devotion to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) narrated that Allah (SWT) said “My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him…” [Bukhari]. From this hadith we come to know that we can only become closer to Allah by following the Fardh (obligatory actions), followed by extra actions. Since Itikaf become an extended act of worship, it is a further step in getting closer to Allah.
Itikaf gives you the opportunity to seclude and concentrate on your Salah (prayer), and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The absence to the interruptions of the worldly life lets you focus on your devotion to Allah like never before.
Verily, in the Remembrance of Allah do the hearts find peace. [Quran 13:28]. Itikaf creates the most perfect environment for Taqwa (the God-consciousness of Allah), devoted time for Dhikr will give you a chance to break away from heedlessness and long to be closer to Allah. In this act, your heart will find peace.
Observing Itikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan will increase your chances of seeking the blessed night of Laylatul Qadr, the night of Decree. the night of Laylatul Qadr is when our destiny is said to be written for the remaining year. Dua made on Laylatul Qadr marks a significance in what you pray for. Rewards are also said to be multiplied on this night.
Itikaf gives you an opportunity to refocus on your goals. It is a time to reconstruct your thoughts and focus on what pleases Allah. The space in Itikaf is where you get to reflect on your life direction and focus on change. The clarity gained through this type of reflection can also lead to personal growth, giving you a clearer sense of purpose.
The rewards of Itikaf in Islam go beyond the last ten days of Ramadan. The new habits of worship grasped in Itikaf can continue, yearning to retain and not let go of the closeness to Allah. Virtues such as patience and gratitude could also emerge and continue through once you complete Itikaf, leaving a lasting impact on what your soul may have longed for.
Your sins are also said to have been forgiven through sincere repentance in Itikaf, The Prophet (SAW) has said: “(Whoever performs Itikaf) He is safe from sin, and he also gets that reward which everyone (outside of Iikaf) gets for pious deeds.” [Ibn Majah]
Itikaf may be your shelter to distance yourself from the distractions of this world and soften your heart, bringing you closer to your Deen.
As you search the spiritual benefits of Itikaf, be sure to check out our other posts regarding Itikaf and how to perform it.
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