Project "Revive a Sunnah" Week 2

Week 2: October 13^th-20^th 2006 (20^th -27^th of Ramadan 1427 AH)

The sunnah to be revived this week is "Al-I'tikaf". The meaning of "Al-I'tikaf" can be roughly translated as "retreat for the purpose of worship". I'tikaf is to be done in the Masjid during the last ten days of Ramadan. From what I have seen, this sunnah is only practiced by a handful of people in our community. Hence, we conclude that I'tikaf is in definite need of revival, insha Allah. As we shall see, I'tikaf is something the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) never abandoned.

From the Ahadith:

1. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) used to engage himself in I`tikaf (seclusion for prayers) in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan till he passed away; thereafter, his wives followed this practice after him.
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to observe I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) used to observe I`tikaf every year (during Ramadan) for ten days; in the year in which he passed away, he observed I`tikaf for twenty days.
(Al-Bukhari)

4. Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 32, Number 237)

5. 'Aa'ishah said: The Sunnah is for the person in i'tikaaf not to visit the sick or attend funerals, or to be intimate with his wife. But there is nothing wrong with his going out for essential needs. (Abu Dawood, 2473)

Th The basic goal of I'tikaf is to seek Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power).

So Some other goals include:

• Being alone with Allaah and cutting oneself off from people if possible, so that one may focus completely on Allaah.
• Renewing oneself spiritual by focusing totally on Allaah.
• Cutting oneself off completely in order to worship Allaah with prayer, du'aa', dhikr and reading Qur'aan.
• Protecting one's fast from everything that may affect it of whims and desires.
• Reducing permissible worldly pleasures and refraining from many of them even though one is able to enjoy them.

You are most welcome to direct any Feedback/Comments/Suggestions/Nominations to albosnawi@gmail.com

May Allah reward you all.
Praise be to Allah and may the blessings be upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).

Wa Salaamu Alaykoum,

Kemal Smajlovic