I’tikaf is an Islamic practice
that has high value and great rewards from Allah Almighty. Many people perform
I’tikaf by Umrah packages in Makkah
and Madinah. I’tikaf has some rules and regulations like any other worship
performed by Muslims.
Conditions of Performing I’tikaf
Religion: To undergo the I’tikaf one must be a Muslim. Also, any
child who had not reached the age of puberty can’t take part in I’tikaf
performance. The child must be able to manage his/her daily life routine by
him/her. If you belong from Hanafi school of thought the minimum age of boys is
seven and it is nine years for a girl to perform I’tikaf.
Sound Minded: One must be a sound-minded person to perform I’tikaf.
It means that he/she should be able to make their decisions on their own
wisely. If a person is affected by any kind of mental illness and can’t take
decisions properly he is not able to perform I’tikaf.
Intention: it is also called as ‘Niyyah’. One must have the
intention of performing I’tikaf only for the sake of Allah Almighty not to be
appreciated by others. Your intention must be pure as your actions depend on
your intentions.
Permission: Women need to take permission from their husbands to
perform I’tikaf. Single women can also get their permission from their father.
Within the Mosque: As mentioned in the Holy Quran at Surat al-Baqarah 2:187 that I’tikaf is
performed within the boundary of the mosque. Now, most of the community states
that it is ok for a woman to perform I’tikaf at home. While some scholars agree
on a point that this is simply not the case at all because the Holy Quran says
otherwise.
Maintaining the Wudhu: One must maintain the state of wudhu in the
whole period of I’tikaf. If the wudhu is broken in I’tikaf one should reassume
the state of wudhu. If a person is having a wet dream then a ghusl should be
performed to continue the I’tikaf. It doesn’t nullify your tawaf.
Fasting: Almost by all school of thoughts fasting is one of the
requirements of I’tikaf. As the I’tikaf is mentioned in the Holy Quran with
fasting. It is obligatory in I’tikaf. If a person is having a serious medical
condition such as diabetes due to which he can’t fast then it is permissible to
skip fasting. Medical condition like fever or nausea doesn’t allow skipping
fasting.
I’tikaf Packing List
You are not advised to carry a
lot of stuff in I’tikaf. Here are some of the things that you need in your
I’tikaf packing list:
• Holy
Quran
• Some
Hadith books
• Extra
clothing of changing (don’t carry too much)
• Food
for suhoor and iftar (most mosques organize by itself)
• A
pillow and a blanket
• A
notebook and a pencil
• Books
on Tafseer and Tajweed
You are again advised to spend
most of your time in worshipping Allah Almighty. Avoid spending your time
sitting idle. If you are performing your I’tikaf in Makkah or Madinah by Umrah travel agents they can also
arrange for your suhoor and iftar in your package.
