Procedure for I'tikaf, Along with Intention and Virtues in the Month of Ramadan

Kapanlagi.com - I'tikaf is one of the beneficial sunnah practices when performed in the month of Ramadan. Although it is a sunnah practice, i'tikaf has many virtues. One of them is as a way to attain the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadar).

I'tikaf is defined as the act of a servant worshiping by staying in the mosque in order to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT and self-reflection. In the month of Ramadan, performing i'tikaf means to take advantage of the virtues of Ramadan and attain Lailatul Qadar.

As known, the Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therefore, the recommended time for performing i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan is the last 10 days of Ramadan.

"The Prophet shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam performed i'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until his death, and his wives also performed i'tikaf after his departure." (H.R HR.Bukhari no. 2026 and Muslim no. 1172)

The procedure for i'tikaf is very easy to perform. If you plan to perform i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan, it is necessary to understand the proper procedure for i'tikaf, including the intention of i'tikaf in order to attain its virtues.

So, what is the procedure for i'tikaf, along with its intention and virtues in the month of Ramadan?

Although i'tikaf is defined as staying in the mosque, it does not mean doing nothing. There are specific procedures that need to be known in order to attain its virtues.

You don't need to be confused about the procedure for i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan. Because, the procedures for i'tikaf are the same as other sunnah worship, namely there are conditions, pillars, and intentions. Here are the procedures for i'tikaf along with intentions, and their virtues summarized from various sources.

1. Pillars of I'tikaf

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At least you need to know the pillars of I'tikaf in order to maximize your I'tikaf. The pillars of performing I'tikaf include:

- Intention

- Staying in the mosque for at least the duration of Tum'ah prayer.

- In the Mosque.

- The person performing I'tikaf.

2. Conditions for Performing I'tikaf

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Meanwhile, the conditions for performing I'tikaf must at least fulfill the following conditions:

- Being a Muslim.

- Having sound mind.

- Being free from major impurities.

3. Intention of I'tikaf in the Month of Ramadan

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Just like other sunnah and obligatory acts of worship, performing i'tikaf also requires an intention to be recited before starting i'tikaf. This is what distinguishes i'tikaf in the mosque from simply staying in the mosque without any intention.

Here is the recitation of the intention for i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan that you can recite before performing i'tikaf in the mosque:

Nawaitu an i'tikafa fi hadzal masjidi sunnatal lillaahi ta'ala

Meaning: "I intend to seclude myself in the mosque, as a sunnah for the sake of Allah ta'ala"

4. Things that Nullify I'tikaf

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I'tikaf will be nullified if someone performing i'tikaf engages in activities that nullify i'tikaf. Therefore, you need to know these things to ensure that i'tikaf runs smoothly and you can benefit from it. Here are the things that nullify i'tikaf:

- Leaving the mosque without a valid reason

- Leaving the mosque to fulfill obligations that can be postponed.

- Leaving the mosque multiple times with reasons that are not urgent needs.

- Engaging in sexual intercourse.

- Emitting semen.

- Apostasy from the Islamic religion.

- Intentionally getting drunk.

- Menstruation.

- Menstrual bleeding during the time of i'tikaf.

5. Etiquette During I'tikaf

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Etiquette refers to good manners, decency, or rules when doing something. In this case, there are etiquettes to observe during i'tikaf. Here are the etiquettes to observe during i'tikaf:

- Praying.

- Reciting dhikr.

- Sending blessings to Prophet Muhammad SAW.

- Reading the Quran or Hadith.

- Avoiding engaging in useless talk and actions.

- Hoping for Allah's blessings with a pure intention.

- Eating, drinking, and sleeping moderately to enhance focus.

- Maintaining personal hygiene and cleanliness of the i'tikaf area.

By observing these etiquettes during i'tikaf, you can make your i'tikaf more perfect. This way, you can attain rewards and virtues.

6. Virtues of I'tikaf

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A servant who observes i'tikaf can obtain great benefits and virtues. Among the virtues of performing i'tikaf are:

- All sins are forgiven and replaced with goodness.

As narrated in the hadith of Ibn Majah, "From Ibn Abbas, that the Prophet explained regarding a person who observes i'tikaf: "He abstains from sins, and goodness flows to him as if he has performed all good deeds."

- Similar rewards to Hajj and Umrah

As narrated in the Hadith of Baihaqi, the Prophet said, "Whoever observes i'tikaf for ten days in the month of Ramadan will receive rewards similar to those who have performed Hajj and Umrah twice."

- Attaining the Night of Laylat al-Qadr

The Prophet Muhammad SAW observed i'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan with the intention of seeking the Night of Laylat al-Qadr, to detach from worldly distractions, making it easier to supplicate to Allah, and engage in abundant prayer and remembrance at that time.

So, those are the procedures, intentions, and virtues of i'tikaf that you can practice during the month of Ramadan. This will add to your good and beneficial deeds throughout Ramadan.

(kpl/nlw/gen)