The month of Ramadan often serves as a time for Muslims to intensify worship and deepen their connection with God. Among the practices that hold strong spiritual value during this month is i’tikaf, a form of devotional retreat in the mosque dedicated to prayer and reflection.
This tradition dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad and continues among Muslims today. In particular, many believers observe i’tikaf during the final ten nights of Ramadan, when spiritual devotion typically reaches its peak.
Linguistically, the word i’tikaf derives from the Arabic root ‘akafa–ya‘kifu, which means to stay, remain, or devote oneself to something. In Islamic jurisprudence, scholars provide slightly different definitions, although they describe the same essential practice.
Scholars of the Hanafi school define i’tikaf as remaining in a mosque that is commonly used for congregational prayer. Meanwhile, scholars of the Shafi‘i school describe it as staying in the mosque while performing specific acts of worship with the intention of drawing closer to God.
The Council for Religious Opinion and Reform of Muhammadiyah Central Board, in its guidebook Tuntunan Ramadan (Ramadan Guidance), similarly explains that i’tikaf involves staying in a mosque for a certain period while engaging in worship to seek God’s pleasure. Therefore, the practice combines physical presence in the mosque with spiritual concentration through prayer, remembrance of God, supplication, and reflection.
Quranic Basis to I’tikaf
The practice of i’tikaf has a clear foundation in both the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet. In the Qur’an, it appears explicitly in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 187. God says:
فَاْلْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّٰهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
“…So now you may be intimate with them and seek what God has ordained for you. Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread. Then complete the fast until night. But do not be intimate with them while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are the limits set by God, so do not approach them. In this way God makes His revelations clear to people so that they may become mindful.” (QS. al-Baqarah [2]: 187)
Although the verse primarily explains the rules of fasting, it also refers directly to the practice of i’tikaf. The prohibition against marital relations while someone is observing i’tikaf indicates that the practice carries its own legal guidelines and spiritual dignity.
The Prophetic Tradition of I’tikaf
In addition to the Qur’an, several prophetic traditions emphasize the importance of i’tikaf. One of the most well-known reports comes from Aisha, who described the Prophet’s consistent practice during Ramadan:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ الْعَشْرَ الْأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللّٰهُ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
(رواه مسلم)
“Indeed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe i’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until God took his soul. After his death, his wives continued to observe i’tikaf.” (Narrated by Muslim)
This narration demonstrates that i’tikaf forms part of the Prophet’s established Sunnah. He performed the practice consistently throughout his life. After his passing, his wives continued the tradition, showing its enduring significance in Islamic devotional life.
For Muslims today, this historical continuity highlights the spiritual importance of i’tikaf. The retreat offers believers an opportunity to step away from daily routines and focus entirely on worship, reflection, and spiritual renewal during the sacred days of Ramadan.
Reference:
Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah, “Fatwa Tarjih Tentang I’tikaf”, https://web.suaramuhammadiyah.id/2016/06/25/fatwa-tarjih-tentang-itikaf/, accessed on Saturday, March 7th, 2025.
