Conditions of I’tikaaf

Question: 12411

What are the conditions of i'tikaf? Is fasting one of them? Is it permissible for the mu’takif (person in i’tikaf) to visit one who is sick, or to accept an invitation, or to attend to his family’s needs, or to attend a funeral, or to go to work?

Summary of answer

I’tikaf should be observed in a mosque in which congregational prayers are held. During i’tikaf, you are not allowed to visit any sick person, or accept any invitation, or attend to your family’s needs except those which cannot be avoided.

Answer

Table Of Contents

Conditions of i’tikaf
Things to avoid during i’tikaf

Conditions of i’tikaf

It is prescribed to observe i’tikaf in a mosque in which prayers in congregation are held. If the mu’takif is one of those for whom Jumu’ah is obligatory and the period of his i’tikaf will include a Friday, it is better for him to stay in a mosque where Jumu’ah prayer is observed.

It is not a condition for him or her to be fasting.

Things to avoid during i’tikaf

The Sunnah is for the mu’takif not to visit any sick person during his i'tikaf , or to accept any invitation, attend to his family’s needs, attend any funeral or go to work outside the mosque.

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Sunnah for the mu’takif is not to visit any sick person, or attend any funeral, or touch or be intimate with any woman, or go out for any reason except those which cannot be avoided.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 2473)

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 10/410