Spring

DESIRABLES OF I’TIKAF

DESIRABLES OF I’TIKAF

Q.   What things are desirable in I'tikaf?

  These are:

             i.     Talking things pious and decent;

           ii.     Busying oneself in the recitation of the Qur-an;

         iii.     Studying and teaching to others the things of religion;

          iv.     Exhorting others to do good;

            v.     Sitting for seclusion in the main Masjid (with arrangement for the Jum'ah prayer).

TIMINGS FOR I’TIKAF

Q.   What is the minimum required duration for I'tikaf?

  As fasting is a precondition for Wajib I'tikaf, it must needs be for a minimum period of one day. Thus, it is not correct to intend for I'tikaf for part of the day, say two, three or four hours or for the night.

The time stipulated for the emphasized Masnun seclusion is the last ten days of Ramadhan. There is no stipulation of time for the Nafl I'tikaf. It could even be for five or ten minutes. If we make intention for I'tikaf each time we enter the Masjid we will get reward for seclusion for several for several times every day.

PERMISSIBLES OF I’TIKAF

Q.   Under what circumstances can a person observing I'tikaf come out of the Masjid?

  He can come out of the bounds of the Masjid for anyone of the following reasons:

             i.     For easing the call of nature;

           ii.     For having the commanded bath;

         iii.     On a Jum'ah day well in time to be able and reach the Jum'ah Masjid and say four Masnun Rak'ahs before the start of the Imam’s address;

          iv.     For calling the Azan from the spot fixed for it.

Q.   How far can one to go ease the call of nature?

  One can go to his house for the purpose however far it is. In case he has two houses, he must go to the one that is nearer the Masjid.

Q.   Can a person in I'tikaf come out of the Masjid to join the funeral prayers?

  If he had affirmed the intention to move out of his seclusion for such a purpose, he can do so. Otherwise, he cannot leave the Masjid.

Q.   What other things are permissible during the period of seclusion?

  Eating, drinking and buying things of necessity provided these things are not available inside the Masjid. Solemnization of one’s Nikah (marriage contract) is also permissible during I'tikaf.

UNDESIRABLES AND NULLIFIERS OF I’TIKAF

Q.   What things are undesirable in I'tikaf?

  Things undesirable in I'tikaf are:

             i.     Going completely speechless regarding it as a form of worship;

           ii.     Bringing and trading merchandise with in the premises of the Masjid;

         iii.     Indulging in quarrels or saying unseemly things.

Q.   What things nullify the I'tikaf?

  The following acts nullify the I'tikaf:

             i.     Coming out of the Masjid intentionally or through forgetfulness;

           ii.     Having sex act during I'tikaf;

         iii.     Overstaying in the house after the valid excuse for which one had come out of the Masjid (such as easing the call of nature etc.) was over;

          iv.     Coming out of the Masjid because of sickness or fear;

All the above circumstances will terminate the I'tikaf instantly.

Q.   Is it ordained to redeem a broken I'tikaf at later date?

  Redeeming an ordained I'tikaf that has been disturbed is ordained. Masnun and Nafl seclusions, if disturbed in the middle, need not to be redeemed.

I’TIKAF (SECLUSION IN A MASJID)

I’TIKAF (SECLUSION IN A MASJID)

Q.   What do we mean by I'tikaf (seclusion)?

  I'tikaf means staying in a Masjid as a mode of worship with the intention to please Al-lah. The stay should be in a Masjid where prayer is said in congregation.

Q.   Why is it considered a form of worship to stay in the Masjid?

  It is but natural that stay in a Masjid should be considered as an aspect of worship and a source of Al-lah’s pleasure because by doing so a person ensures his staying away from his wandering, his amusements, his revelries and his daily vocation.

Q.   At which place should a woman sit in seclusion?

  She should sit in seclusion in her own house at the place used by her for offering Salat. With the intention to sit in I'tikaf, she should remain there all the time. She should not leave the place or go to the courtyard or any part of the house, except for easing the call of nature. If, however, no place is fixed for worship in the house, she should earmark a spot for the purpose and sit there.

Q.   Enumerate some of the benefits accruing from I'tikaf?

  The following are some of the benefits of I'tikaf:

             i.     A person in I'tikaf in a way dedicates his entire body and time to the worship of Al-lah;

           ii.     Such a person keeps away from involvement in worldly affairs and therefore many possible acts of sin;

         iii.     Being in a state of seclusion makes him as though he were all the time busy, saying his prayers. For he is in effect all the time sitting in wait for Salat and congregational prayers;

          iv.     While in seclusion a person emulates the morals of angels because he is constantly worshipping and glorifying Al-lah;

            v.     Masjid being the house of Al-lah, a person in seclusion there is Al-lah’s neighbor, nay he is Al-lah’s very guest there.

Q.   How many types of I'tikaf are there?

  I'tikaf could be of three types:

             i.     Ordained;

           ii.     Emphasized precept of the Prophet (peace be on him) and

         iii.     Desirable.

Q.   Which I'tikaf is ordained?

  I'tikaf in response to a vow is ordained. It would occur if a person took a vow that should Al-lah answer his such and such prayer, he would sit for Al-lah for two or three or more days.

Q.   Which I'tikaf is the emphasized precept of the Prophet (peace be on him)?

  I'tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadhan is the Prophet’s emphasized precept. It should start on the 20^th of Ramadhan in the evening (at sunset) and end with the sighting of Id moon regardless whether the moon has been sighted on the 29^th or the 30^th of Ramadhan. This is an emphasized but sufficing precept of the Prophet (peace be on him). Which means that even if a few people do it, all the rest are absolved of their responsibility.

Q.   Which I'tikaf is desirable?

  All seclusion other than those that are either ordained or the Prophet’s emphasized precept are desirable. I'tikaf is allowed on any day of the year.

Q.   What are the conditions for I'tikaf to be in order?

  Preconditions for I'tikaf are:

             i.     One’s being a Muslim;

           ii.     Being clear of major uncleanness or menstruation (in the case of women);

         iii.     Sane state of mind;

          iv.     Having the intention to sit in seclusion;

            v.     Sitting for seclusion in a Masjid where congregational prayer is regularly held.

All these are conditions of general nature which hold good for all kinds of seclusion. In which hold good for all kinds of seclusion. In case of Wajib I'tikaf, however the person concerned must also be fasting.

EXPIATION (KAFFARAH)

EXPIATION (KAFFARAH)

Q.   What is the Kaffara (expiation) for the deliberate breaking of fast?

  The actual expiation is freeing a slave. But as slaves are no longer found in this part of world, expiation could take two forms: either to fast continuously for two months or if one does not have strength enough to stand two months fasting, he should feed sixty poor and hungry persons to their fill two times a day or in lieu give compensation to sixty persons at the rate of one seer and three quarters at the rate of one seer and three quarters of wheat or price thereof or some other food grains as rice, miller etc. (seer here means a seer equal in weight to eighty English one rupee coins).

Q.   Is it permissible to give the entire quantity of food grain (2 maunds and 25 seers) meant for sixty destitute to a single needy person?

  Yes, it is allowed provided one seer and three quarters of wheat is given to a single individual each day for sixty days or he is fed twice a day for as many days. But if more than the measure of food grain or the price prescribed for one day is given to a person in one lump, it shall still be counted as expiation for one day and no more.

Q.   How is it if less than one seer and three quarters of wheat is given to a needy person?

  It is permissible neither to give more nor less than the measure prescribed for one day to a person in a single day.

Q.   What is the injunction about a person who breaks several fasts of Ramadhan in the middle?

  Only one expiation will be due from him.