.png)
Heri Mahbub
The month of Ramadan has always been a special moment for Muslims to multiply pious deeds and draw closer to God. One of the highly recommended worship, especially in the last ten days of Ramadan, is i'tikaf. What is the time, place, practice, and conditions of itikaf for women? Check out the following article.
I'tikaf (الإِعْتِكَافُ) in terms of language comes from the word al-'akfu (العَكْفُ), which means to hold or forbid. It means to refrain from various activities that become a habit.
Meanwhile, according to the term, i'tikaf is settling in a mosque carried out by certain people [fulfilling the requirements of the I'tikaf], with the intention of worship [taqarrub ilallaah].
The Shari'a I'tikaf was stated in the Qur'an, hadith and the opinions of Salaf scholars.
In the Koran Surah Al-Baqarah verse 125, Allah Ta'aala said,
"... Clean my house for people who are tawaf, i'tikaf, who are ruku 'and the prostration." (Surah Al-Baqarah [2]: 125)
Aisyah Radhiyallahu 'Anha said,
"Indeed, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam did i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he died. Then his wives did i'tikaf after [died] him." (Muttafaq alaih)
The scholars agree that i'tikaf is a sunnah act for both men and women. Unless someone has a Bernadzar for i'tikaf, then he must fulfill his nadzar. That means i'tikaf for him to be punished mandatory.
Nadzar is for example someone promised: "If I succeed in reaching Target A, I will have a born to give atikaf for the last 10 days of Ramadan." Then i'tikaf the law becomes mandatory/must for Him.
I'tikaf time -based on the opinion of the majority of scholars is done at any time, both in the month of Ramadan and outside the month of Ramadan.
It is reported that the Messenger of Allah had done i'tikaf in the month of Syawwal. (Muttafaq 'alayh)
He was also narrated by I'tikaf at the beginning, in the middle and the end of Ramadan. (HR. Muslim)
But the most important time of i'tikaf and always the Prophet did until the end of his life was in the last ten days of Ramadan.
The majority of scholars argue that the beginning of i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan was just before the sunset [Maghrib], on the 20th day of Ramadan.
As for the end of time, some scholars believe that I'tikaf ends when he will go out to pray ID, but it is not forbidden if he wants to come out before that time. Some other scholars argue that the duration of i'tikaf ends at sunset on the last day of Ramadan.
I'tikaf means silent. And all activities are silent in the mosque in the context of taqarrub ilallah is i'tikaf. Whether it's long and a moment.
Imam Nawawi said that I'tikaf even though for a moment, he would still be given the reward even though it was limited to sitting in the mosque. Even though it fills with the case of the world - such as eating drinking - at the mosque. (Al-Jami 'Al-'Aam fi fiqh as-shiyam)
While the maximum length of time i'tikaf has no limit to the condition that someone does not neglect the obligations that are his responsibility or neglect the rights of others who are their obligations.
It is reported that the Messenger of Allah in his death year had done i'tikaf for twenty days. (HR. Abu Dawud and Ibnu Majah)
I'TIKAF General Pruine in accordance with the verses of the Qur'an , Surah Al-Baqarah verse 187:
"And do not make them clenched them, you are giving ..." (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 187)
The mosque required as a place of i'tikaf is a mosque that is commonly used for prayer in congregation five times. Even more important if the mosque is also used for Friday prayers. Even more important if done in three main mosques; The Grand Mosque, the Nabawi Mosque and the Aqsa Mosque.
There is Atsar from Ali bin Talib and Ibn Abbas who stated that i'tikaf was invalid except in the mosque which was held in it praying in congregation.
Besides, if i'tikaf is done in a mosque that has no Fardhu prayer pilgrims, I'tikaf participants will be faced with two negative cases: he cannot pray in congregation, or will often leave the place where I'tikaf is to pray in congregation in other mosques.
What is meant by the mosque as a place of i'tikaf is a place that is devoted to prayer and all areas that are connected to the mosque and are limited to the mosque fence, including the yard, the storage room, or office in the mosque.
Even better if the mosque has the facilities needed by I'tikaf participants, such as adequate MCK places, or spacious rooms specifically for beds and store luggage. As well as a kitchen that can be used to prepare food.
I'tikaf was allowed in the mushalla as described above with a note at the mushalla a five -time prayer was held. As for Friday prayers he can go out to another mosque and immediately return to the mushalla when it is finished. Wallahu a'lam.
Also read: ITIKAF Ramadan: its meaning and arrangement
Women are allowed to do i'tikaf based on the generality of the verse. Also based on the hadith that has been mentioned that the wives of the Prophet did i'tikaf. There is also a history that the Prophet allowed Aisyah and Hafshah to do I'tikaf. (HR. Bukhari)
But the scholars generally provide conditions for women who want to do i'tikaf, namely they must get permission from their guardians or husbands for those who are married, do not cause slander, there is a special place for women in the mosque and not in menstruation/postpartum conditions.
In general, people who are I'tikaf should not get out of the mosque. Unless there is an urgent personal need that makes him have to get out of the mosque.
Aisyah Radhiyallahu 'Anha said,
"It was the Prophet sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wasallam pushed his head to me while he was in the mosque, then I combed his head. He did not enter the house unless there was a need when I was I'tikaf." (Muttafaq 'alayh)
Cases that are considered urgent needs so that a person who is i'tikaf may leave the mosque is: defecating, purifying, eating, drinking, Friday prayers and other urgent cases, if all of that cannot be done or is not available in the mosque area.
Out of the mosque for doing these things did not cancel i'tikaf. He can go home to do these things, then quickly come back when finished and then continue the i'tikaf.
Included in this case are women who experience menstruation or childbirth in the middle of i'tikaf.
However, if someone comes out of the mosque area without urgent needs, such as selling, working, visiting, etc. Then the i'tikaf is canceled. If he wants to return, then the intention of i'tikaf from the beginning.
In fact, people who are on the i'tikaf are not issued out of the mosque to visit the sick, witness the body and fondle his wife, as the words of Aisyah in this case (HR. Abu Dawud)
Based on the verse that has been mentioned, that what is clearly prohibited when i'tikaf is listening. So the scholars agreed that listening to canceling i'tikaf. As for making out or masturbating, some scholars say that it cancels if accompanied by lust and out of semen. As for not being accompanied by lust and not issuing semen, not canceling. (Al-Mu'tamad fi al-fiqh as-syafi'i)
Including what is considered to cancel is to get out of the mosque without urgent personal needs. Likewise, it is considered to cancel - according to some scholars - if someone intends with a strong azam to get out of i'tikaf, even though he still resides in the mosque. (Al-Jami 'Al-'Aam fi fiqh ash-shiyam)
Someone is allowed to cancel his i'tikaf and there are no consequences for him. But if there is no urgent reason, this is to be interpreted, because the worship that has begun should be resolved unless there is a strong reason to stop it.
It is recommended to focus and concentrate on worship, especially fardhu prayers, and multiply the Sunnah worship, such as the Qur'an Tilawatul [reading the Qur'an], praying, dhikr, muhasabah, tholabul ilmi, reading useful reading, etc. But it is still allowed to speak or chat as necessary as long as it is not a major part of the I'tikaf activity, as reported that the Messenger of Allah was visited by Shofiyah Binti Huyay, his wife, when he was i'tikaf and talked to him for a few moments.
It is also permissible to clean themselves and tidy up the appearance as the Prophet disbursed Aisyah, when he was I'tikaf.
It is forbidden when i'tikaf occurs himself in world affairs, let alone do illicit acts such as ghibah [gossip], namimah [pitting sheep] or viewing illicit views either directly or through mobile devices and such. Avoid excessive cases even though they are allowed, such as eating, drinking, sleeping, chatting, etc.
(From various sources)
Wallahu a'lam bish-shawaab
