THE SPIRITUAL RETREAT - A'TIKAF

It is the spiritual retreat of the believers during the last ten days of Ramazaan in the Central Mosque of a city in which a Muslim stays inside the Mosque for at least three days absolutely cut-off from the outside world. He practically lives in the Mosque for three days; eats, drinks, sleeps, and prays seeking Allah’s forgiveness and offer repentance for his sins.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) observed A’itikaf for three days of the first ten days, three days of the second ten days and three days of the last ten days of Ramazaan.

Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 125 which reads: “We made the House (in Makkah) as a place of refuge and sanctuary for men. (People) adopt the place where Ibrahim (a.s.) stood as a place for prayer. We advised Ibrahim and Isma’il to keep My House clean for the pilgrims, the worshippers, and those who bow down and prostrate themselves in worship.”

According to the Tradition number 24007 of Kanzal Ummal, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “The person who secludes himself (in the Masjid in A’tikaf) in true faith and hope (for the reward of Allah), all of his previous sins shall be forgiven.”

It is a sort of brief “returning back to Him” before the Final and Irrevocable Return to Him! It is the best time to review our “Deed Sheet”. We should forget about this transient world and concentrate on “Hereafter”, recite the Glorious Qur’an and ponder over its meaning, recite different supplications, seek forgiveness for ourselves, parents and other relatives and other believers, sincerely offer repentance for our sins.

It is observed either during the “Whit Days” or “Ayyam-e-Bayz” which is the 13, 14, and 15 of the Lunar Months and also during the last ten days of the month of Ramazaan.

During I’tikaf, one should sincerely follow Allah’s Commandments and refrain from His Prohibitions.

Conditions:

Man or woman must be intelligent (Aqil), have True Faith, intention (for closeness to Allah not show-off) which must be made at the start of A’tikaf, must be fasting, permission from guardian or husband, place (mosque for the entire period).

A’tikaf is recommended from the sun rise or Fajar to the sun set or Maghreb of the third day. If one wishes to terminate the A’tikaf for some valid reason, one may leave after the sun set or Maghreb of two days, otherwise one should complete three days (Obligatory).

Prohibited acts during A’tikaf:

* Applying and smelling perfume with the intention of deriving pleasure.

* Discussing and arguing about the world or the faith, except debating to establish truth and destroying falsehood.

* Buying or selling anything.

* Deriving pleasure from the opposite sex in any way.

It is not permissible to leave the mosque during A’tikaf except it is absolutely necessary. If at all he leaves, he should return as soon as possible, taking the shortest route for moving out and return back.

Penalties for breaking the rules of A’tikaf:

For recommended A’tikaf, if the rules are broken before the second day, there is no penalty. However, if the rules were broken after the second day, he should redo the A’tikaf at a later day. If the rules were broken on the third day, he must complete the remaining period of time and also redo it at a later date.

For “Obligatory A’tikaf” resulting from a promise or oath etc., the he should redo the A’tikaf at a later date.

Source used:

ISLAMIC-LAWS.COM