What is Itikaf and How Do You Prepare For It?

What is Itikaf?

Itikaf is one of the most powerful and meaningful forms of worship in the Muslim faith. The word comes from the Arabic ‘akafa’, meaning devotion, focus or isolation. Muslims performing Itikaf will seclude themselves in a mosque for a period of time and spend that time in dedicated worship and spiritual reflection. There are strict limits on what those performing Itikaf can do – they cannot, without good reason, leave the mosque, cannot talk excessively and should not talk about worldly matters, they may not conduct business or earn money and must dedicate as much of the time as possible to prayer, reflection and recitation.

Itikaf can be performed at any time, and different varieties of Itikaf exist. Nafl or voluntary Itikaf is a personal decision, can be undertaken at any time of year, can be for any period of time from a few hours to several days and does not require fasting (although it is recommended to heighten the significance and power of the endeavour.

Wajib or obligatory Itikaf is carried out as the result of a vow. They may pray for Allah (SWT) to grant them some success or desire, and vow that they will perform a certain number of days of Itikaf in return. Although this is entered into voluntarily, it becomes obligatory if the condition is met. Wajib Itikaf requires the adherent to fast, should be at least a full day and ideally at least three days. The Itikaf must fulfil the days promised in the vow.

Sunnah Mu’akkadah is the most common and most spiritually powerful form of Itikaf. It is a Sunnah – a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is observed in the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan, which is the time in which Lailat-ul-Qadr – the Night of Power – occurs. Because this is during Ramadan, the same requirements for fasting (abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours) are required for those carrying out Sunnah Mu’akkadah.

What Are The Benefits of Itikaf?

Islam does not permit its adherents to seclude themselves from the world to concentrate on spiritual matters, in the way of Christian monks or Buddhist bhikkhus. In Islam, the pleasure and rewards of Allah (SWT) can only be gained by fulfilling obligations to your family and community, earning an honest life and balancing the spiritual demands of being a good Muslim with the demands and challenges of daily life.

Itikaf provides a way to ensure that balance remains correct. It’s easy to let the ordinary world, with its demands and concerns, to take too much of a Muslim’s time, effort and thought. This would slow down their spiritual journey and weaken their relationship with their faith and Allah (SWT). By carrying out Itikaf, and dedicating a period of time to nothing but prayer, reflection and spiritual matters, this shortfall can be made good. Itikaf is a chance to get away from the routines and demands of the world and devote ourselves, our minds and our hearts to spiritual matters.

The hadith of Ibn Majah dramatically states the spiritual benefits of Itikaf in all its forms: “Whoever engages in Itikaf is protected from every sin and also earns the rewards of righteous deeds which were being done prior to Itikaf as if they are still being done.”

Sunnah Mu’akkadah is an especially powerful and rewarding form of Itikaf. It is never known when Lailat-ul-Qadr – the Night of Power – will take place, other than it will be one of the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Lailat-ul-Qadr is said to be ‘better than 1000 months’ – any act of devotion or good deed done on this night accrues the same spiritual benefits of doing the same act for 1000 ordinary months. When in a true state of Itikaf, every second counts as an act of worship, and worshipping on the Night of Power is an especially powerful act. So those performing Itikaf throughout these days and nights are sure of receiving these benefits, even if they are asleep on Lailat-ul-Qadr.

How Do You Prepare for Itikaf?

Unsurprisingly, given its spiritual significance and the rewards that it can bring, Itikaf is not something that can be done on a whim or without proper preparation. Someone undertaking Itikaf must be spiritually and physically prepared for the Itikaf to be effective and valid.

Spiritual preparation for Itikaf should focus on developing sincere and meaningful intentions. Allah (SWT) values intentions higher than deeds, and accepts acts and offerings from those who display taqwa – consciousness of God, sincere faith and purity of intention.

As well as declaring your intention to perform Itikaf in prayer, you should reflect and look inwards to be sure that your intentions are pure. As Ibn Al-Mubaarak stated: “Many a small action is made great by its intention, and many a great action is made small by its intention.” Itikaf may be a great action, but if it is being done for the wrong reasons – out of pressure or obligation from others, to spend time with your friends or to look good in front of others – it will not be of spiritual value.

As for every time a Muslim performs prayer (salah), they must prepare themselves with wudu (a purification process) before beginning Itikaf. As well as the prescribed ritual washing, wudu includes recitation of the Shahada (the Islamic oath and creed that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam) and a Dua (prayer seeking the spiritual assistance of Allah (SWT)).

How To Make Intention for Itikaf?

Intentions before Itikaf should be made inwardly and outwardly.

As mentioned, you should reflect on your motivations for undertaking Itikaf. Say to yourself, and out loud, that you are performing Itikaf to draw closer to Allah (SWT), strengthen your faith, purify yourself, to correct your soul or however you wish to approach this special form of worship in a sincere and appropriate way.

Stating your intention to Allah (SWT) that you are to perform Itikaf need not be complicated. Simply mention your wishes and state how long you will be undertaking Itikaf for. Saying “I am performing three days of nafl Itikag to please You, O Allah.” is an appropriate intention. Be sure to include the time and purpose of your Itikaf.