The Rules of I'tikaaf

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    THERULESOFITIKFMaulanaMuftiMuhammadTaqiUsmani

    Translatedinto

    English

    by

    Mahomed

    Shoaib

    Omar

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    ContentsINTRODUCTIONTOTHEAUTHOR....................................................................................................2PREFACE...........................................................................................................................................4

    TRANSLATORSNOTE

    ....................................................................................................................

    5

    PARTONE:FADILOFITIKF.........................................................................................................6Introduction.................................................................................................................................6

    AhdithRelatingtoItikf........................................................................................................8PARTTWO:MEANINGANDREALITYOFITIKF............................................................................16

    MeaningofItikf.......................................................................................................................16WhomayperformItikf............................................................................................................16PlaceofItikf.............................................................................................................................16CategoriesofItikf....................................................................................................................17

    PARTTHREE:MASNNITIKF......................................................................................................18

    Meaningand

    effect

    of

    Masnn

    Itikf

    ........................................................................................

    18

    ResponsibilityofmembersofanareaandmainfeatureofItikf............................................18MeaningofHudd[Boundaries]ofmosqueandimportanceofdeterminationthereof.........19LeavingthemosqueonthegroundsofSharnecessity...........................................................21

    10.1CallofNature.................................................................................................................2110.2Ghusl...............................................................................................................................2310.3Eating..............................................................................................................................2410.4Adhn.............................................................................................................................2510.5JumuahSalh................................................................................................................2510.6TransferofMosque........................................................................................................26

    10.7Janzah

    Salh

    and

    Visiting

    the

    Sick

    ................................................................................

    26

    FactorsthatrenderItikfvoid..................................................................................................28SituationsinwhichitispermissibletobreakItikf..................................................................29TheconsequencesofbreakingItikf:RulesofQadh..............................................................30TheAdab[Etiquette]ofItikf....................................................................................................30Permissibleacts[Mubht]inItikf.........................................................................................31MakrhatofItikf.....................................................................................................................32

    PARTFOUR:MANDHURITIKF.....................................................................................................33Introduction...............................................................................................................................33MeaningofNadhr......................................................................................................................33

    Categoriesof

    Nadhr

    and

    their

    Legal

    Effect

    ................................................................................

    34MannerofFulfillingNadhr.........................................................................................................34

    TheFidyahofItikfMandhr....................................................................................................35RestrictionsofMandhurItikf..................................................................................................36

    PARTFIVE:NAFLITIKF.................................................................................................................37NaflItikf...................................................................................................................................37

    PARTSIX:ITIKFOFWOMEN........................................................................................................39ItikfofWomen........................................................................................................................39

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    INTRODUCTIONTOTHEAUTHORTheAuthorofthebook,JusticeAllahmahMuftiMuhammadTaqiUsmani isthesonofagreat

    lim, Allamah Mufti Muhammad Sham rahimahullh alayhi who wrote some one hundred

    books includingthewellknownTafsroftheQurnentitledMarifulQuran ineightvolumes,

    andisrankedamongstthegreatUlemaoftheIndoPakcontinent.

    The author himself a distinguishedlim was born in 1943. Under his distinguished father's

    tutelageandguidance,hegraduatedwithhonoursinthedifferentbranchesofIslmiclearning

    fromtheIslmicuniversityestablishedbyhisfathernamely,DarulUloomKarachi,attheyoung

    ageofsixteen.HealsoreadbooksofHadthandFiqh[Law]underhisfatherandreceivedspecial

    trainingfromhim inthe IntricaciesofLaw,thederivationof legalrules[Istinbt],thegivingof

    Fatwa[legalopinions],andthewritingoflegaltreatises.

    Aftergraduation,he taughtvarioussubjectsat theDarulUloomand ispresentlyProfessorof

    HadthandLaw,andalsoitsvicerector.Inaddition,heobtainedM.A.andL.L.B.degrees,both

    withdistinction,fromtheUniversityofKarachi.

    ApartfromteachingHadthandFiqhatDarulUloomKarachi,heisalso:

    i) JudgeoftheShariatAppellateBench,SupremeCourtofPakistan.

    ii)

    Representativeof

    Pakistan

    in

    the

    Academy

    of

    Fiqh,

    abody

    consisting

    of

    leading

    jurists representing Muslim countries, and established by the Organisation of

    Islamic Conference with a view to conducting research in Islmic Law and

    providingsolutionstomodemproblemsonacontinuousbasis.

    iii) Permanentadviser to theGovernmentofPakistan inrelation totheenactment

    andapplicationofIslmicLawinthatCountry.

    He continues to play an active and pivotal role. in the Islamisation process carrying on in

    Pakistan.He

    drafted

    the

    Hudd

    Ordinance,

    relating

    to

    Islmic

    Criminal

    Law,

    one

    of

    the

    first

    IslmicLawswhichwaspromulgated inPakistansince itscreation.Hewasformerlyamember

    of the Council of Islmic Ideology, a body responsible for making recommendations to the

    Governmentonthe.implementationofIslminPakistan.Inhiscapacityasjudge,hehaswritten

    importantjudgements, foremost among them being a recentjudgement on the question of

    RMM(stoningofmarriedadultererstodeath).Thisjudgementwhichrunsintoabout80pagesis

    regardedasthemostcomprehensiveandanalyticalexpositionofthesubjecteverwritten.

    Asauthorhehaswrittenanumberofbooksandarticles.Heisalsoeditorofamonthlyjournal

    entitledAl

    Balgh

    which

    has

    acquired

    alarge

    following

    in

    Pakistan.

    Moreover,

    he

    has

    delivered

    papersatmanyinternationalconferencesandseminars.

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    Inthisshortintroduction,itisnotpossibletosetouthisacademiccontributionsindetail.Suffice

    tosaythathiswritingsinclude:

    i) An invaluable introductionandcommenton theoutstandingwork IlaUsSunan,which is

    publishedin12volumesandcoverstheentirefieldofIslmicSciencesthatearnedhimthe

    title"AppleofPakistan"(inARABIC).

    ii) "What isChristianity?awellresearchedand indepthanalysisandrefutationofChristian

    Doctrinesinthefightoftheirhistoricaldevelopment(inURDUandARABIC).

    iii) "UlumulQurnandUsulUlTafsr,acomprehensivebookexceeding500pageswhichis

    compulsoryreadingforeveryMuslim,ontheprinciplesoftheinterpretationoftheQurn,

    the

    compilation

    of

    the

    Qurn,

    the

    nature

    of

    revelation,

    the

    meaning

    of

    "Seven

    Qirats

    and

    relatedmatters(inURDU).

    iv) TheStatusofTaqlidinSharAhwhichisauniqueanalysisandexpositionofthemeaning

    ofTAQLID,itshistoricaldevelopmentanditsvariouscategories(inURDU).

    v) TheMethodologyofIjtihad inContemporaryTimes,which iscompulsoryreadingfor every studentof Islmic Law interested in solutions tomodem problems. (inARABIC).

    vi) TakmilahFathulMulhimacommentaryofSahhMuslim,recentlypublished,that

    includes a discussionof importantmodem day problems and their solution, and

    hailedasanacademicworkparexcellence.(inARABIC).

    Inshort,theacademicstatusoftheauthorhasbeenbeautifullysummarisedbythewellknown

    andgreatmuhaddithofourtimesofRiyadh,SaudiArabia,AllamahAlMuhaddithShaikhAbdul

    FattahAbiGuddahinthefollowingwords:

    YourSheikh,

    the

    great

    allamah

    and

    Mufti,

    Maulana

    Muhammad

    Shafi

    rahimahullah

    alayhi

    arousedinhisbrilliantSon,theingeniousAllamah,distinguishedmuhaddth,andtalentedjurist

    and litterateur, Muhammad Taqi Usmani, the determination and zeal to complete Fathul

    Mulhim.(i.e.theabovementioned(vi)commentaryofSahhMuslim).

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    PREFACEItikf is one of the beautiful forms ofworship prescribed by the Sharah, and practised by

    Muslimsallover theworld,especially in theHolymonthofRamadhn.TheSharahhas laid

    downspecificrulesandprocedureforItikfwhicharediscussedindetailinbooksofFiqh[Law].

    Unfortunately, experience shows that few people are fully aware of these rules. Each year,

    hundredsofMuslimshavethehonourofperformingItikfbut,duetothisunawareness,their

    practicedoesnotalwaysconformtotheprescribedprocedure.

    Friends,therefore,suggestedthatIwriteabookletinUrduonthesubjectforthebenefitofthe

    ordinaryMuslimwho intendstoperformItikf,statingthereinessentialprinciples inasimple,

    clearandconcisemanner.

    I,accordingly,

    commenced

    the

    writing

    of

    this

    book

    in

    the

    state

    of

    Itikf

    itself,

    and

    thereafter

    by

    theFadlofALLHcompletedit.

    BythegraceofALLHAlmightythishumbleeffortwasreceivedwithmuchfavourandwidely

    acknowledgedbytheMuslimsofPakistan.TheneedforanEnglishtranslation,forthebenefitof

    Englishreaders,wasthenexpressedbysomepeople.

    I therefore deem it a privilege that my learned brother Mr. Muhammad Shu'aib Omar

    undertook this responsibility, and translated the booklet into English with ability and

    competence.

    Ihavereadthetranslation,andhavefoundthathe,inthecourseofhiswork,hastakenallthe

    careandprecautionnecessaryforthetranslationofreligiousbooks.MayALLHblesshimwith

    the best of rewards in theHereafter and honour himwith strength and tawfiq to carryout

    similarworksintheserviceofIslm.

    Finally,Irequestthereadersofthebooklettoremembermeandthelearnedtranslatorintheir

    prayersduringItikf.

    MuhammadTaqiUsmani

    DarulUloomKarachi,Karachi14,Pakistan

    6thMarch1985(14/6/1405A.H.)

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    TRANSLATORSNOTEThebookisessentialreadingforpersonswishingtoperformthenobleandmeritoriousIbdah

    of Itikf. Itcontainsall the importantandnecessaryrulesandcoverspracticallyallsituations

    facedbyapersonperformingItikf.Itshouldbetakenalongandconstantlyreferredtoforthe

    durationof

    Itikf.

    TheoriginalworkinUrduhasbeenwritteninauniquelysimpleandclearstyle.Thetranslator

    hasattemptedtobringoutthissimplicityandclaritywhilstadheringtotheoriginalascloselyas

    possible. Imperfections in usage and grammar are therefore bound to creep in, and the

    translatorasksforthereader'sindulgenceinthisregard.

    TheauthorJusticeMuftiMaulanaMurammadTaqiUsmani,who isthereveredteacherofthe

    translator, is an internationally recognized andeminent scholarandjuristof Islm.He is the

    authorofnumerousbooks,andarticlesonvarioussubjectsintheUrduandArabiclanguages.A

    translationofsomeoftheseworks intoEnglishwillbeof immensebenefittoEnglishreaders,

    having regardparticularly to theextremeshortageofauthentic literatureon Islm inEnglish,

    theauthor'sextremelypenetrating insight intomodernconditionsanddevelopments,and in

    depthknowledgeofIslmicLaw.

    MayAllhAlmightyrender thisbookasourceofbenefitandguidance forall,andaccept this

    humbleeffort.

    MahomedShoaibOmarDurbanSouthAfrica23rdMarch19851stRajab1405A.H.

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    UntilitwasnotfixedthattheNightofQadrwouldappearintheoddnightsofthelasttendays,

    itisestablishedthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamperformedItikfinthewhole

    ofRamadhn.ItisreportedfromAbSaidalKhudriRadiallhuanhuthatononeoccasionafter

    performing Itikf for the fast 20 days in Ramadhn, the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallamsaid:

    'InordertofindtheNightofQadr,ImadeItikfofthefirsttendaysof

    Ramadhn.ThenImadeItikfofthemiddletendaysThenitwas

    showntomethattheNightofQadrisinthelasttendays.Hence,

    whoeveramongstyouwishestomakeItikfwithme,heshoulddoso.4

    Thereafter,itwasthepracticeoftheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamtoperformItikf

    inthelasttendaysofeveryRamadhn.

    The

    importance

    and

    significance

    of

    Itikf

    is

    illustrated

    by

    the

    fact

    that

    the

    Holy

    Prophet

    Sallallhualayhiwasallamalwaysperformeditandneverabandoneditabsolutely.

    Apart from this, theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallam is reported tohave said inone

    Hadth:

    "WhoeverperformsItikfforonedayforthesakeofseekingthepleasureof

    Allh,AllhwillplacebetweenhimandthefireofHellthreetrenches,the

    distanceofwhichwillexceedthedistancebetweentheHeavensandtheearth.5

    Furthermore,inanotherHadth,reportedontheauthorityofHadratHusaynibnAlRadiallhu

    anhutheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamisreportedtohavesaid:

    "WhoeverperformsItikffortendaysinRamadhn,suchactwillbeliketwoHajandtwo

    Umrah.6

    AlTabranireportsthesameHadthinthefollowingwords:

    TheItikf

    of

    the

    ten

    days

    of

    Ramadhn

    is

    like

    two

    Hajj

    and

    two

    'Umrah.7

    ItisrelatedinoneHadth:

    Somepeoplebecomepegsofmosques(thatis,theysitinthemosquesatalltimes).Theangels

    arethecompanionsofsuchpeople.Ifthesepeoplesometimebecomeabsentfromthemosque,

    4 AsSunanul Kubra(Baihaqi)

    5 Hakim

    6 KanzulUmml

    7 MajmausZawid

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    theangelsseekthem. Iftheybecomesick,theangelsvisitthem;and iftheyfall inneed,these

    angelsassistthem.8

    ThefadlahofthisHadthisattainedbyperformingItikf,whichisaverygreatfadlah.

    AhdithRelatingtoItikfWesetoutbelowcertainAhdithrelatingtoItikftogetherwithabriefcommentarythereon.

    HadthOne:"Hadrat AyeshaRadiallhu anha reported that theHoly Prophet Sallallhu alayhiwasallam

    used toperform Itikf in the last ten days andnights ofRamadhn untilAllh tookhis life.

    Thereafter,hispurewivescontinuedtoperformItikf.9

    ThisHadthillustratestheimportanceofItikf,namely,thattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhi

    wasallam always performed it. The Itikf of the pure wives of the Holy Prophet Sallallhu

    alayhiwasallamwillbe,mentionedbelow.TherulesrelatingtotheItikfofwomenaresetout

    attheendofthisbooklet.

    HadthTwo:HadratAbdallh ibn UmarRadiallhuanhu reports that theHolyProphet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallam used toperform Itikf in the last ten days and nights of Ramadhn.HadratNfi

    Radiallhuanhu (who transmitted thisHadthfrom IbnUmarRadiallhuanhu states that ibn

    UmarRadiallhuanhushowedhimtheplace inthemosquewheretheHolyProphetSallallhu

    alayhiwasallamusedtoperformtheItikf.10

    HadthThree:"Hadrat Nafi Radiallhu anhu reportsfrom Ibn Umar Radiallhu anhu that when the Holy

    ProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamusedtoperform Itikfhisbeddingwas laidforhim,orhis

    bedwasplacedforhim,behindthepillarofrepentance.11

    ThePillarofRepentance[UstuwanaalTaubah] isthatpillar inalMasjidalNabawwhereupon

    therepentanceofHadratAbLubbahwasaccepted.Behindthispillar istheplacewherethe

    HolyProphet'sSallallhualayhiwasallambeddingwaslaidandbedplacedatthetimeofItikf.

    Presently there is a pillar at this place known asUstuwana al Sarrwhichwords have been

    engravedthereon.ThispillariscloselyconnectedtotheWesternwingoftheRawdahAqdas.

    Inanyevent, thisHadthproves that it ispermissible for thepersonperforming Itikf to lay

    bedding in themosque. Ifapersoncannotsleeponbedding, thenhe ispermitted toplacea

    bed.However,itisbetterthat,forafewdays,suchprovisionandcarenotbetaken,butrather

    8 AlFathurRabbni

    9 SahihBukhariandSahihMuslim

    10 SahihMuslim

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    that the person sleeps in simplicityupon bedding. In viewof the fact that theHolyProphet

    Sallallhu alayhiwasallam was a Prophet, he performed many acts that the Ummah may

    deduceorknowthepermissibilityofsuchacts.Consequently,byplacingabed,heshowed its

    permissibility.However, it ispreferable forMuslimsgenerally toarrange tosleeponbedding,

    unlessthereisavalidexcuse.

    ThisHadthalsoestablishes the fact that there isnoobjection toapersonperforming Itikf

    every year in the same place in the mosque. Firstly, however, one must not make such an

    arrangement that such place has compulsorily been demarcated for Itikf, and that it is

    necessarytoperformItikfthere.Secondly,onecannotforsuchpurposeremoveapersonwho

    hasmadepriorprovisionandhassecuredsuchplace. Inviewofthe factthat Itikf isagreat

    Ibdah,itiscertainlynotpermissibletofightandwrangletosecureaspecificplaceortocause

    harmtoaMuslimorhurthisfeelings.

    HadthFour'HadratAyeshaRadiallhuanhareportsthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamused

    toperform Itikf in everyRamadhn.Hence,whenheperformed Fajr Salh,hewent to the

    placewhereheusedtoperformItikf.ThenarratorstatesthatHadratAyeshaRadiallhuanha

    alsoasked theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamforpermission toperform Itikf.The

    HolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamgrantedpermissiontoher,andsoshepitchedatentin

    themosque.

    HadratHafsah

    Radiallhu

    anha

    heard

    of

    this

    and

    so

    she

    (also)

    pitched

    atent

    in

    the

    mosque.

    And

    ZaynabRadiallhuanha(also)heardofthis,andsoshealsopitchedanothertentinthemosque.

    So,when theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamcompletedtheFajrprayer,hesawfour

    tentsinstalled(Onebelongingtohimandthreetohispurewives).Heasked:"Whatisthis?"He

    wasinformedthatthetentsbelongedtohispurewives.Hereplied:Whydidtheydothis?Isit

    due topiety and righteousness? Remove these tents, so that Imay not see them." Conse

    quently, the tentswere removed.Andso theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamdidnot

    performItikfinthatRamadhn,totheextentthatheperformedItikfinthefirsttendaysand

    nightsofShawwal.

    It isamatterofreflection in thisHadth that theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallam in

    itiallygrantedpermissiontoHadratAyeshaRadiallhuanhutoperformItikf,butthereafter,

    whenhisotherpurewivesinstalledtents,heprohibitedallfromperformingItikf.

    The reason for this (andAllh knows best) appears to be that the home ofHadrat Ayesha

    Radiallhuanhuwassocloselyattachedtothemosquethatthedoorthereofopenedintothe

    mosque.Consequently,ifsheputacurtainalongsideherdoorandperformedItikf,shewould

    nothavebeenforcedtorepeatedlypass infrontofmentoattendtonecessities but,onthe

    contraryit

    would

    have

    been

    as

    if

    she

    performed

    Itikf

    in

    her

    own

    home.

    As

    opposed

    to

    this,

    the

    11 IbnMajah

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    homes of the other purewiveswere at some distance from themosque. Therefore, if they

    performed Itikf in the mosque, they would be bound to repeatedly enter and leave the

    mosquetogototheirhomes,andforwomentoperformItikfinthismannerwasnotlikedby

    the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi wasallam. Hence, the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallamsaidthatthismannerofperformingItikfwasnotapiousactforawoman.However,

    whenheremovedthetentsoftheotherpiouswives,healsoremovedthatofHadrat Ayesha

    Radiallhuanhu so that theremaybenocause forcomplainton thepartof theotherpious

    wives.Moreover,healsodidnotperformItikfsoasnottohurtthefeelingsofHadratAyesha

    Radiallhuanhu.HethenperformedItikfinShawwaltocompensatefortheomission.Inthis

    way, theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamaccommodated the rightsofAllhand the

    rightsofhispiouswives Subhanallah!

    Inanyevent,manybenefitsareattainedfromthisHadth.Firstly,itispermissibletoenclosea

    place

    by

    means

    of

    curtains,

    etc.

    for

    the

    purpose

    of

    Itikf.

    In

    the

    next

    Hadth

    we

    learn

    that

    a

    Turkish tent was pitched for the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi wasallam. However, the

    enclosing of the place is permissibleonly if no harm is caused to other persons performing

    I1ikiLforprayers. Ifharm issocaused, the Itikfshouldbeperformedwithoutenclosingany

    place.Consequently,some 'Ulama'havestatedoneofthewisdomsbehindtheremovalofthe

    tents as.being thepossibility that themosquewillbecomeovercrowded andnarrowby the

    pitchingoftoomanytents.

    ThesecondpointtonotefromthisHadth isthat itisnotpermissibleforawomantoperform

    Itikfwithout

    the

    permission

    of

    her

    husband.

    If

    she

    performs

    Itikf

    without

    such

    permission,

    thehusbandhas the right to terminate such Itikf.Moreover, if thehusbandhasgivensuch

    permission, hemaywithdraw same if the benefitof not performing Itikf becomes known.

    However,itmustbeclearthatintheeventofbreakingtheItikfaftercommencinginthisway,

    it isnecessary tomakeQada' Itikfof theday inwhich itwasbroken. If the Itikfwasnot

    commencedatallthenQada'isnotobligatory[Wjib].ItisapparentfromtheaboveHadththat

    thepurewives(oftheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallam)didnotcommenceItikf.

    Thirdly,itmustbenotedthatwomenshouldnotperformItikfinthemosque.However,ifthe

    houseof

    awoman

    is

    closely

    attached

    to

    amosque

    so

    that

    if

    she

    performs

    Itikf

    in

    purdah,

    it

    will

    notbenecessaryforherto leavethemosque,andtherearenomen inhervicinity,thensuch

    womanmayperformItikftogetherwithherhusband.However,itismostpreferablethatshe

    performsItikfathome.12

    HadthFive:'HadratAb SaidalKhudriRadiallhuanhu reported that theHolyProphetSallallhu alayhi

    wasallam performed Itikf in a Turkish tent in the first ten days of Ramadhn. Then he

    performedItikfinthemidthetendays.Thenheraisedhisheadandsaid.PerformedItikfof

    thefirst

    ten

    days

    for

    the

    purpose

    of

    searching

    the

    Night

    of

    Qadr.

    Then

    Iperformed

    Itikf

    of

    the

    12 FathulMulhim

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    middletendaysforthispurpose.ThenIwastoldbyAllhthatthisNightofQadrisinthelastten

    days.Therefore,whoeverwishes toPerform Itikfwithme,hemustperformthe Itikfofthe

    lasttendays.Thisnightwasshowntoandthereafter1wascausedtoforgetit.NowIsawmyself

    prostrating inwaterand clay in thedawnof theNightofQadr.Consequently searchfor this

    night intheoddnightsofthe lasttennights.HadratAbSadreportedthat itrainedonthat

    night. Themosque leaked because itwasmade of grape branches.My eyes saw the Holy

    ProphetSallallhualayhiwasallaminsuchasituationthatthereweretracesofwaterandclay

    onhisforeheadinthemorningofthetwentyfirstofRamadhn.13

    WelearnfromthisHadththattheessentialbenefitofItikfinRamadhnistheacquisitionof

    thefadilahoftheNightofQadr.Consequently,aslongasitwasnotshowntotheHolyProphet

    SallallhualayhiwasallamthattheNightofQadrwilloccurinthelasttendays,heperformed

    Itikfof the firstandsecond tendays insearchof thisnight.Once itwasshown to theHoly

    Prophet

    Sallallhu

    alayhi

    wasallam

    that

    the

    Night

    of

    Qadr

    will

    appear

    in

    the

    last

    ten

    days,

    he

    himselfperformedItikfinthesedaysandencouragedhisCompanionstodoso.

    Inthisyear,itwasalsoshowntotheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamthattheNightof

    QadrwillbesuchanightthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamwouldmakesajdah

    inwaterandclayinthemorningthereof,thatis,thelandwouldbecomewetasaresultofrain.

    Consequently, it rained on the twentyfirst night and the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallammadesajdahduringtheFajrprayeronwetground.Hence,forthatyear itwasfixed

    thattheNightofQadrwasthetwentyfirst(ofRamadhn).Thisdoesnot,however,meanthat

    theNight

    of

    Qadr

    will

    in

    the

    future

    always

    appear

    on

    the

    twenty

    first

    (of

    Ramadhn).

    The

    most

    preferredopinion isthattheNightofQadrwillalternate intheoddnightsofthe lasttendays

    (ofRamadhn).

    ThisHadthalsoindicatesthatitisnotnecessarytotaketoomuchprecautioninordertoavoid

    clayordustontheforeheadatthetimeofsajdah.There isnoobjection ifa littleclayordust

    attachesitselftotheforehead.

    TheessentialpointtonotefromthisHadthisthatalthoughtheHolyProphetSallallhualayhi

    wasallamwas

    free

    of

    sin

    and

    of

    the

    highest

    status,

    he

    nevertheless

    exerted

    the

    utmost

    effort

    in

    ordertoobtainthefadlahoftheNightofQadrtotheextentthathespenttheentiremonthof

    RamadhninItikf.Wearetoagreaterdegreeinneedofthisfadlah.Accordingly,weshould

    takeevengreatercareinattainingthisfadlah.

    HadthSix:'IbnAbbsRadiallhuanhureportsthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamsaid,The

    personwhoperformsItikfisprotectedfromsins,andallhisgooddeedsarewrittenforhimas

    ifhehimselfdoesthem.14

    13 Mishkt

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    The meaning of thisHadth is that one great benefit of Itikf is that a person is protected

    againstsins for theperiodhespends in Itikf.Allthosesinswhichheperformsoutside,he is

    nowrestrainedfromcommittingthem.However, it isthemercyofAllhSubhanahuwatala

    thathewillbe,rewardedforallthosegooddeedswhichheperformedoutsideandwhichheis

    unabletoperformduetobeinginastateofItikf thesedeedswillcontinuetobewrittenin

    hisbookofdeeds.Forexample,apersonused visit the sick,orhelp thepoor,orattend the

    majlisofan lim,ortraveltablighor learning andhe isunabletodosuchworkbyvirtueof

    beingItikf,thenhewillnotbeexcludedfromtherewardofthesegooddeeds.Rather,hewill

    receivetherewardofthesedeedsasifhehimselfdidthem.

    HadthSeven:Hadrat Ayesha Radiallhu anha reports that when the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallamusedtoperform Itikfhe loweredhisheadtowardsher(whilsthewassitting inthe

    mosque).Thereupon,shecombedhishair,andhedidnotenterthehomeexcepttoattendthe

    callofnature.15

    TheHoly Prophet Sallallhu alayhiwasallam used to be in themosque andHadrat Ayesha

    Radiallhu anha in her home. The Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhiwasallam used to slightly

    extendhisheadoutof themosque,andenableHadrat AyeshaRadiallhuanhu tocombhis

    hair.IntheriwayahofAbDawditisreportedthatheusedtogethishairalsowashedinthis

    way. Inanother riwayah, it isreportedthatonlythe flooringofthedoor intervenedbetween

    theHoly

    Prophet

    Sallallhu

    alayhi

    wasallam

    and

    Hadrat

    Ayesha

    Radiallhu

    anhu.

    We

    also

    learn

    fromtheriwayahofAbDawdandMusannafibnAbShaybahthatonsomeoccasionsHadrat

    Ayesha Radiallhu anhu used to be in a state of menstruation when combing the hair or

    washingthehead(oftheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallam).

    InthiswaythefollowingrulesareknownfromthisHadth:

    1. It is permissible for the person performing Itikf to wash the head or comb the hair

    providedthatheremainsinthemosqueandthewaterdripsoutside.

    2. Another person may do the combing or washing and such person may be outside the

    mosque.Awomanwhetherinastateofmenstruationornotmayalsodosuchcombingof

    thehairorwashingofthehead.

    3. IfsomeportionofthebodyofthepersonperformingItikfprotrudesoutsidethemosque,

    hisItikfisnotbroken.Providedthatonlysuchportionmayprotrudeoutsidethataviewer

    willnotconstrueorunderstandthatthewholepersonisoutsidethemosque.

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    4. Apersonmaygotohishometoattendthecallofnature.Thedetailsofthisrulewillappear

    underthediscussionontherulesofItikf.

    HadthEight:HadratAyeshaRadiallhuanhureportsthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamused

    topassasickpersonwhilstinItikf,whereuponheusedtoaskofhisconditionwithoutstopping

    orturningfromtheroad.16

    ThemeaningofthisHadth isthatwhentheHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamusedto

    leavethemosquetoattendtothecallofnature,andhecameacrossasickpersononhisway,

    thenhedidnotstopbyat thesickpersonor turn fromtheroad inorder tovisithim,buthe

    askedofhisconditionwhilstwalkingon.17

    We learn accordingly that if the person performing I'tikf leaves themosque for some valid

    shar reason, thenhemustnot stayoutside foronemomentwithoutanyneed thereofand

    beyondnecessity.However,whilstwalkingalongtheroadhemaypermissiblytalktosomeone

    or ask the conditionof a sick person.However, he cannot stopor change his road for such

    purposes. Hence, Hadrat Ayesha Radiallhu anha also acted on this. According to one

    narration,sheusedtogotoherhomeduringItikfforthesakeofnecessity,and,iftherewasa

    sickpersonthere,sheenquiredofhishealthwhilstwalking shedidnotstopforthis.18

    HadthNine:'Hadrat

    Safah

    Radiallhu

    anha

    the

    wife

    of

    the

    Holy

    Prophet

    Sallallhu

    alayhi

    wasallam

    reports

    thatshevisitedtheHolyProphetSallallhu alayhiwasallamwhilsthewas in Itikf inthe last

    tendaysofRamadhn.ShesatforawhilewiththeHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamand

    spoketohim.Thenshestoodupandturnedinordertoreturnhome.TheHolyProphetSallallhu

    alayhiwasallam stood up in order to leave her, so thatwhen she reached the door of the

    mosquenearthedoorofHadratUmmSalmahRadiallhuanhatwomenoftheAnsrpassed.

    TheygreetedtheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallam(bysayingsalm).TheHolyProphet

    Sallallhualayhiwasallamrepliedattheirbehaviour:Holdon,thiswomanisSafah,daughter

    ofHuyayy,andnobodyelse.Themenreplied inamazement:Subhanallh,OProphet.Andit

    wasdistressing

    to

    them

    (that)

    the

    Holy

    Prophet

    Sallallhu

    alayhi

    wasallam

    nurtured

    the

    thought

    of their cherishing (wrong ideas). The Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi wasallam thereupon

    replied, Shaytn isasnear tomanashisbloodand Iwasafraid that Shaytndidnotplace

    wrongnotionsinyourheart.19

    1. Firstly,weloamthatthereisnoobjectiontospeaktoapersonwhocomestomeetonein

    astateofItikf.However,onemustavoidvainandunnecessarytalkinthestateofItikf.

    16 Mishkt

    17 Mirqt

    18 Jami'ul Usul(ontheauthorityofMuwatta)

    19 SahihBukhar

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    2. Secondly,wealso learn that it ispermissible forawomanof thehome tocome to the

    mosque for thepurposeofmeeting thepersonperforming Itikf.However, twopoints

    mustbenoted in thisregard: firstly, that thewomanmustobserveproperpurdah,and

    secondly,shemustcomeatsucha time that thepossibilityofmeetingorencountering

    men is the least there isnobasisofpermissibility in theHadth forwomen to come

    withoutpurdahordressedimmodestly.

    3. Thirdly,itispermissibletoaccompanythepersonwhocomestomeettothedoorofthe

    mosque,butitisnotpermissibleforhimtoleavethemosqueorgooutside.

    4. Fourthly,thepersonperformingItikfmaypermissiblychatortalktohiswifeinthestate

    ofItikfinprivacy.However,itisnotpermissibletoindulgeinsexualactivityofanykind,

    aswillappearinthenextHadthofHadratAyeshaRadiallhuanha.

    5. TheHolyProphet Sallallhu alayhiwasallam informed twoAnsrCompanions that the

    person leavingwasHadratSafahRadiallhuanhabecause shewasdressed inpurdah

    and

    accordingly

    not

    recognisable

    to

    strangers.

    It

    is

    clear

    that

    the

    honoured

    Sahbah

    Radiallhu anhum would never conceive of any wrongful act on the part of the Holy

    Prophet Sallallhu alayhi wasallam. However, by so informing the two Ansr

    companions, theHolyProphet Sallallhu alayhiwasallamhas taughtus thataperson,

    not withstanding his status, must refrain from and avoid all situations which lead to

    accusations,blameandreproach.Hemustcleartheair(byclarification)ineverysituation

    inwhichthereisthepossibilityofwrongnotionsbeingconceivedinrelationtohim.

    Sidebyside,welearnthatitisnotonlypermissiblebutalsopreferableforapersontoclarifya

    matterin

    order

    to

    remove

    or

    dispel

    doubts

    or

    wrong

    notions

    held

    in

    regard

    to

    him.

    Hafiz

    ibn

    Hajrstatesthat ulmaandpiouspeoplemusttakeparticularnoteofthisandobservesame.

    Thereasonforthis isthat ifthepeoplegenerallynurturewrongnotionsaboutthemtheywill

    notbeabletoderivereligiousbenefitfromthem.

    HadthTen:HadratAyeshaRadiallhuanhureportsthatthecorrectprocedureforonewhoperformItikfis

    thathedoesnotvisitthesick,nordoesheattendafuneral,nordoeshetouchawomanorkiss

    her, nor does he have intercourse with her, nor does he leavefor a necessity except that

    necessitywhich

    is

    unavoidable

    and

    from

    which

    there

    is

    no

    escape.

    20

    InthisHadth,HadratAyeshaRadiallhuanhaexplainsmanyoftheactswhichprohibitedina

    stateofItikf.ThesemattersareexplainedindetailtheheadingrelatingtotherulesofItikf.

    HadthEleven:Hadrat Ibn 'Umar Radiallhu anhu reports that when the Holy Prophet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallamwasatJarnah(aplace)onhisreturnfromTif,Hadrat'UmarRadiallhuanhuasked

    him:OProphetSallallhualayhiwasallam,Itookavow[nazr]inthetimeofJhiliyahthatIwill

    performItikf

    in

    al

    Masjid

    al

    Haram

    for

    one

    day.

    Now,

    what

    is

    your

    opinion

    in

    this

    regard?

    The

    20 Mishkt(ontheauthorityofAbDawd)

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    HolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamreplied:GoandperformItikfforoneday.Hadratibn

    'UmarRadiallhuanhustatesthattheHolyProphetSallallhualayhiwasallamhadgivenUmar

    Radiallhuanhua slavefrom thebootyofwar. So,when theHolyProphet Sallallhu alayhi

    wasallam (at the battle of Hunayn)freed theprisoners of war (who had been reduced to

    slavery), 'UmarRadiallhuanhu,whilst in Itikf,heard theirvoices saying: 'TheHolyProphet

    Sallallhualayhiwasallamhassetusfree.'Hadrat'Umaraskedthepeople:'Whatisthisevent?

    Theyreplied:'TheHolyprophetSallallhualayhiwasallamhasfreedtheprisonersofwar.Umar

    Radiallhuanhuthereupontoldhisson:Abdallh,gotothatslavegirlandsetherfree.21

    Thegeneral rule is that ifapersonhas takena vow [nadhr] ina stateofkufr, then it isnot

    obligatory [wjib]uponhim to fulfilsuchavowafterbecomingaMuslim.However, theHoly

    Prophet Sallallhu alayhiwasallam ordered Hadrat 'Umar Radiallhu anhu to fulfil his vow

    because, although its fulfilmentwas notobligatory, itwas a sourceof reward. It, therefore,

    follows

    that

    if

    one

    is

    ordered

    to

    fulfil

    a

    vow

    taken

    in

    a

    state

    of

    kufr,

    then

    to

    a

    greater

    extent

    is

    it

    necessaryforonetofulfilavow[nadhr]ofperformingItikftakeninastateofIslm.

    Consequently, theoriginof ItikfofNadhr [vow] isestablishedby thisHadth.Wealso learn

    thattheNadhrofaday'sItikfispermissible.

    Ju'rnah isaplacesomedistancefromMakkahsituatedontheroadtoTaif.TheHolyProphet

    Sallallhualayhiwasallam,onhisreturnfromthebattlesatTaif,spentthenightatthisplace,

    andthereafterproceededtoMakkahwhereheperformedUmrah.Inviewofthefactthatthis

    placewas

    near

    al

    Masjid

    al

    Haram,

    Hadrat

    'Umar

    Radiallhu

    anhu

    posed

    the

    question

    and

    then

    proceededtoperformItikf.

    Wealso learnfromthisHadththat it ispermissible forapersonperforming Itikftoenquire

    about the situation (outside themosque) frompeople,having regard to the fact thatHadrat

    UmarRadiallhuanhuenquiredfromHadratAbdallhibnUmarRadiallhuanhuuponhearing

    thenoiseoftheprisonersofwarwhoweresetfree.Theseprisonersofwarrantoandfrointhe

    streets of Makkah injoy, and, upon this, Hadrat 'Umar Radiallhu anhu enquired of their

    situation.22

    Moreover,wealsolearnfromthisHadththatitispermissibleinastateofItikftofreeaslave

    ortoenterintodealingssuchasNikh,Talq,etc.

    21 SahihBukhariandSahihMuslim Jami'ulUsul

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    PARTTWO:MEANINGANDREALITYOFITIKFMeaningofItikfThe reality of Itikf is that a person remains in the mosque for a certain period with the

    intention[niyyah]

    of

    Itikf.

    There

    is

    no

    time

    limit

    prescribed

    for

    whatever

    time

    is

    spent

    in

    the

    mosquewiththeintentionofItikf,suchspendingoftimewillconstituteNaflItikf.However,

    aperiodoftendaysisprescribedfortheMasnnItikfofRamadhn thesunnahwillnotbe

    fulfilled foraperiod lessthantendays.Similarly, inthecaseof ItikfWjib(that is,aperson

    whohastakenavowtoperformItikf),itcannotbefulfilledinaperiodlessthanonedayand

    onenight.23

    WhomayperformItikf1. ItisnecessaryforItikfthatapersonbeaMuslimandsane.Hence,theItikfofaninsane

    personorakafirwinnotbevalid.However,justasaminorchildmayperformSalhorkeep

    fast,similarlysuchminormayperformItikf.24

    2. AwomanmayalsoperformItikfinherhomebysettingasideaspecifiedplacefor'Ibdah

    andperformingthereinsuchItikf.However,itisnecessaryforhertoobtainherhusband's

    consent forsuch Itikf.Moreover, it isessential thatshe isnot inastateofmenstruation

    andnifs.

    3. It isa conditionof ItikfMasnn and ItikfWjib thatapersonbe ina stateof fasting.

    Hence, ifaperson isnot inastateoffasting,hecannotperformthesecategoriesofItikf.

    However,fastingisnotaconditioninthecaseofNaflItikf.

    PlaceofItikfFormalepersons,Itikfcanonlybeperformedinthemosque.Themostblessedandpreferred

    ItikfisthatperformedatalMasjidalHaraminMakkah.ThenextmostpreferredItikfisthat

    performed at alMasjid alNabawl in alMadinah. Third in order of preferability is alMasjid

    alAqsa(inAlQuds).Fourthly,anyJm'iMasjid.However, it isnotnecessarytoperformItikf

    at

    a

    Jm'i

    Masjid.

    On

    the

    contrary,

    Itikf

    may

    be

    performed

    at

    any

    masjid

    where

    prayers

    are

    saidfivetimes(eachday)injamaat.Ifamasjidissuchthatfivetimeprayers(eachday)arenot

    said therein, then in suchanevent there isadifferenceofopinionamong the Ulam.Some

    scholars are of the view that Itikf may be performed at such a masjid although it is not

    preferable.25

    23 Badai'

    24 Badai'

    25 Shmi

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    CategoriesofItikf1. Itikf Masnn: This refers to that Itikf which is only performed in the month of

    Ramadhnduring the last tendays thereofcommencingon the twentyfirstnightand

    terminatinguponthesightingofthemoonofShawwal(thatis,ontheeveofEidulFitr).

    It

    is

    termed

    Itikf

    Masnn

    because

    the

    Holy

    Prophet

    Sallallhu

    alayhi

    wasallam

    performedItikfeveryyearinthesedays.

    2. ItikfNafl: ThisreferstothatItikfwhichmaybeperformedatanytime.3. ItikfWjib: ThisreferstothatItikf.

    (a)whichbecomesWjibbecauseofmakingnadhr,thatis,takingavow,or

    (b)whichbecomesWjibasQadforrenderingvoidaMasnnItikf.

    Inview

    of

    the

    fact

    that

    the

    rules

    for

    each

    of

    these

    categories

    differ,

    they

    are

    dealt

    with

    separatelybelow.

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    PARTTHREE:MASNNITIKFMeaningandeffectofMasnnItikfThe Itikfwhich isperformed in the last tendaysofRamadnMubrak isknownasMasnn

    Itikf.The

    time

    for

    this

    Itikf

    commences

    upon

    completion

    of

    the

    twentieth

    day

    (of

    Ramadhn),thatis,witheffectfromthesettingofthesun,andremainsuntilthesightingofthe

    Shawwalmoon(Eidmoon).InviewofthefactthisItikfcommencesfromthetwentyfirstnight

    (of Ramadhn) and the night commencing from the setting of the sun it is therefore

    necessary for thepersonwishing toperform Itikf toenter thehuddof themosqueon the

    twentiethdaysuchtunebeforeMaghribsothatthesettingofthesuntakesplacewhilstheisin

    themosque.

    TheItikfofthelasttendaysofRamadhnisSunnahalMuakkadah'alaalkifayah.Thismeans

    thatifoneperson,wholivesinaparticularareainwhichamosqueissituated,performsItikf,

    theninsuchaneventthesunnahisfulfilledonbehalfofallthemembersofthatarea.However,

    nobodyintheentireareaperformsItikf,thenallthemembersoftheareawigbeliableforthe

    sinoffailingtofulfilaSunnah.

    ResponsibilityofmembersofanareaandmainfeatureofItikf1. Itisclearfromtheforegoingthatitistheresponsibilityofeverymemberoftheareaor

    townshiptoascertaininthebeginningwhetheranypersonistositfortheItikfintheir

    mosqueornot.

    2. However, it is notpermissible to cause someperson to sitby giving himpaymentor

    money because it is not permissible in the caseof Ibdah to giveor takemoneyor

    wages.26

    If no member of a particular area is able to sit for Itikf due to circumstances of

    necessity, then in thateventarrangementsmustbemade tocausesomeperson from

    anotherareatosit.27

    TheoutstandingpillarofItikfisthatapersonremainsforthedurationofItikfwithinthe

    huddof themosque.Saveandexcept for thenecessitiesofnature (seedetails later),he

    mustnotleavethehuddofthemosqueevenforonemoment.For,ifheleavesthehudd

    ofthemosqueforonemomentwithoutavalidSharreason(thedetailsofwhicharedealt

    withlater),theItikfisrenderedvoid.

    26 Shmi

    27 FatwaDarulUloomDeoband(Complete)

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    MeaningofHudd[Boundaries]ofmosqueandimportanceofdeterminationthereofManypeopledonotunderstandthemeaningofthehuddofthemosqueandonthisbasistheir

    Itikfisrenderedvoid.Accordingly,itisimportanttounderstandcarefullythemeaningofthis

    term.

    Incommonparlance,theentireboundariesofthemosqueareconsideredasthemosque.But

    fromtheviewpointoftheSharah, it isnotnecessaryfortheentireboundariestoconstitute

    themosque.AccordingtotheSharah,onlythatportionwillconstitutethemosquewhichthe

    builderofthemosquehasfixedasthemosqueandhasmadesameWaqfasmasjid.

    The explanation to this is that it isone thing for a portionof the land to be amosque and

    anotherforaportionofthelandtobemadeWaqfforthenecessitiesofthemosque.According

    tothe

    Sharah,

    amosque

    will

    only

    be

    constituted

    by

    that

    portion

    which

    the

    builder

    thereof

    has

    demarcatedasthemosque,thatis,fornootherpurposeexcepttheperformanceofSalh.But,

    thereisaportionvirtuallyineverymosquewhichfromtheviewpointoftheSharahdoesnot

    qualifyasthemosque butwhichhasbeenmadeWaqfforthenecessitiesofthemosque.For

    example,wudhukhana,ghuslkhana,placeforistinja,placeforSalhofJamaat,quartersofthe

    Immandmuadhdhin,storerooms,etc.Therulesofthemosquearenotfromtheviewpointof

    theSharahapplied to theseportions.Hence, it ispermissible togo to theseportions in the

    stateofjanabah,whenitisnotpermissibletoenterthemosqueitselfinsuchastate.Itisclearly

    not permissible for the person performing Itikf to enter these portions relating to the

    necessitiesof

    the

    mosque.

    On

    the

    contrary,

    if

    the

    person

    performing

    Itikf

    enters

    these

    portionswithoutavalidSharexcuse,hisItikfisrenderedvoid.

    Insomemosques,thoseportionsrelatingtothenecessitiesofthemosqueareclearlyseparate

    anddistinguishablefromtheactualmosqueitselfsothatitisnotdifficulttodeterminethis.On

    theotherhand, insomemosques, theportionsrelating tonecessityaresocloselyconnected

    withtheactualmosque itselfthateverypersoncannotdistinguishbetweenthetwo anduntil

    the builder of the mosque does not expressly indicate that that portion is not part of the

    mosque,onecannotdeterminethis.

    Accordingly,ifapersonwishestoperformItikf,hemustfirstascertainfromthebuilderofthe

    mosqueorthetrusteestheprecisehuddofthemosque.Thetrustofthemosqueshouldalso,

    asfaraspossible,makeclearanddistinguishablethehuddofthemosque.Inthisregard,itis

    preferable that aplan clearlydemarcating thehudd is affixed to thenoticeboardofevery

    mosque. In any event, those who gather to perform Itikf on the twentieth day of fasting

    shouldatleastbeverballyinstructedinregardtothepreciselimitsofthehuddofthemosque.

    Inthosemosqueswhereinthewudhukhana isvirtuallyconnectedwiththemosque itself,the

    peoplegenerally

    regard

    the

    wudhu

    khana

    as

    part

    of

    the

    mosque

    and

    walk

    to

    and

    fro

    therefrom

    in the state of Itikf. One must understand clearly that the Itikf is rendered void in this

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    manner.Thewudhukhanaarenotpartofthemosquesthemselves.Hence,itisnotpermissible

    for thepersonperforming Itikf togo therewithoutavalidSharexcuse.Consequently,one

    mustascertainfromthetrusteesofthemosquebeforesittingforItikfthefineofdemarcation

    between themosque itselfand thewudhukhana, that is, thepointwhere thehuddof the

    mosqueendsandthepointwherethehuddofthewudhukhanabegins.

    Similarly,thestairsofthemosquewhichisusedtogainentryintothemosqueisalsogenerally

    excludedfromthemosqueitself.Hence,itisnotpermissibleforthepersonperformingItikfto

    gotherewithoutavalidSharexcuse. Insomemosques,thehaud[pond]which isbuilt inthe

    courtyard isalsoexcludedfromthemosque itself.Consequently, itisnecessarytoascertain in

    this regardas to theboundaries separating themosque from thepond,andas towhere the

    huddofthepondcommence.

    In

    those

    mosques

    where

    the

    place

    for

    janzah

    is

    built

    separately,

    such

    place

    is

    excluded

    from

    thehuddofthemosque.ItisnotpermissibleforthepersonperformingItikftogothem.

    In somemosques, the Imm's orMuadhdhin's quarters are built togetherwith themosque

    itself. These quarters are also excluded from the mosque itself, and accordingly, it is not

    permissible for the person performing Itikf to go there. In somemosques, a room is built

    attachedtothemosquefortheprivateneedsoftheImm.Thisroomalsowillbeexcludedfrom

    theMosque itselfas longas thebuilderof themosquehasnotdemarcated itaspartof the

    mosque,and,accordingly,thepersonperformingItikfcannotgothere.Ontheotherhand,if

    thebuilder

    of

    the

    mosque

    has

    made

    an

    intention

    to

    include

    it

    as

    apart

    of

    the

    mosque,

    then

    the

    personperformingItikfmaygothere.

    Insomemosques,aplaceisbuilttoteachchildrenimmediatelyattachedtothemosqueitself.It

    isnotpermissibleforthepersonperformingItikftogotothisplacealsoaslongasthebuilder

    ofthemosquehasnotdeemeditaspartofthemosque.

    Insomemosques,aplaceorroomhasbeenbuilttostorematsandotherappurtenances.The

    hukmforthisplace isalsothat itwillnotconstitutepartofthemosqueas longasthebuilder

    hasnot

    demarcated

    it

    as

    part

    thereof,

    and,

    therefore,

    the

    person

    performing

    Itikf

    cannot

    go

    there.

    TheextentoftheimportanceofdeterminingthehuddofthemosqueforthepurposeofItikf

    is clear from the foregoing explanation. Consequently, the person performing Itikf must,

    beforecommencingsuchItikf,properlyascertainfromthetrusteesofthemosquethehudd

    ofthemosque.

    Oncethehuddofthemosquehasbeendeterminedthen,onecannotforthedurationofthe

    Itikfleave

    the

    hudd

    even

    for

    one

    moment

    without

    avalid

    Shar

    need,

    otherwise

    the

    Itikf

    willberenderedvoid.

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    LeavingthemosqueonthegroundsofSharnecessityBythetermSharnecessity,wemeanthosenecessitiesonthebasisofwhichtheSharahhas

    permittedthepersonperformingItikftoleavethemosque.TheItikfisnotrenderedvoidif

    theperson

    so

    leaves

    by

    virtue

    of

    such

    necessities.

    Thesenecessitiesare,asfollows:

    1. Theneedtourinateordefecate,thatis,toattendtothecallofnature.

    2. Theneedforghuslofjanabahwhenitisnotpossibletomakeghuslinthemosque.

    3. Theneedtomakewudhuwhenitisnotpossibletomakewudhuwhileinthemosque.

    4. Theneedtobringfoodanddrinkwhenanotherpersonisnotavailabletodoso.

    5. TheneedoftheMuadhdhintogooutforthepurposeofcallingAdhn.

    6. IfJumuahSalhisnotperformedinthemosquewhereinItikfisperformed,theneedto

    gotoanothermosquetoperformJumuah.

    7. Theneedtomovetoanothermosqueintheeventofleaking,etc.ofthemosque.

    Apart from these needs, it is not permissible for the person performing Itikf to leave the

    mosque for any other purpose. Now, we shall, insha Allh, explain details of each of these

    needs.

    10.1CallofNature(a) ThepersonperformingItikfcanleavethemosquetoattendthecallofnature,that

    is,tourinateordefecate.Insofarasurinatingisconcerned,hemustgototheplace

    nearestthemosquewhereitispossibletourinate.Inregardtodefecation,ifatoilet

    hasbeenbuiltattachedtothemosque,andifitispossibletodefecatetherein,then

    hemustgothere.Itisnotpermissibletogotoanotherplace.However,ifaperson

    cannot defecate due to his nature or because of extreme difficulty at any place

    besideshishome,thenit ispermissibleforhimtogotohishouseforthispurpose,

    evenifatoiletisavailablenearthemosque.28

    If a person does not have this difficulty, then he should utilize the toilet of the

    mosque. Ifsuchaperson leavesthemosquetoiletandgoes tohishouse,thenhis

    ItikfisrenderedvoidaccordingtoSomeUlam.29

    (b) Ifthemosquedoesnothaveanytoilet,or if it isnotpossible toattendthecallof

    nature therein, or in the case of extreme difficulty, then in such events it is

    28 Shmi

    29 Shmi

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    permissibletogohometoattendthecallofnature,notwithstandingthedistanceof

    suchhome.30

    (c) Ifthehomeofafriendorarelativeispresentnearthemosque,itisnotnecessaryto

    gotohisfriendsorrelativeshometoattendthecallofnature.Despitethis,oneis

    permittedtogotooneshomeeven if it issituatedatadistance incomparisonto

    thehomeofsuchafriendorarelative.31

    (d) Ifapersonownstwohousesthenheshouldgototheneareronetoattendthecall

    ofnature.IfhegoestothefurtherhomethenhisItikf isrenderedvoidaccording

    tosomeulam.32

    (e) Ifthetoilet isoccupied,then it ispermissibletowaituntil it isvacant.But it isnot

    permissible

    to

    remain

    even

    for

    one

    moment

    once

    the

    need

    is

    fulfilled.

    If

    one

    remains,thentheItikfisrenderedvoid.33

    (f) ItispermissibletomakeSalmtosomeoneortoreplytoaSalmortotalkbrieflyin

    thehouseoronthewaytothetoiletandonreturn,providedthatonedoesnotstop

    forsuchbrieftalk.34

    (g) It is not necessary to walk briskly on the way to the toilet or on return. It is

    permissiblealsotowalkslowly.35

    (h) On theway to the toilet toattend to thecallofnature,onemustnotstopat the

    instanceofanother.Whilewalking,onemustindicatetosuchotherpersonthatone

    isinastateofItikf.Onecannotstopforthispurpose.Ifonestoppedforsometime

    attheinstanceofanother,thenhisItikfisrenderedvoid.Thisappliestotheextent

    that if a debtor has on the road stopped the person performing Itikf then

    according to Imm Ab Hanifah RahimahuAllh the Itikf is rendered void. The

    Itikf isnotrenderedvoidbyvirtueofthisnecessityaccordingtoImmAbYusuf

    andImmMuhammadRahimahumaAllh.ImmSaraksRahimahuAllhhasonthe

    basisof

    ease

    and

    facility

    manifested

    apreference

    for

    the

    viewpoint

    of

    the

    latter

    two.36

    30 Ibid.

    31 Ibid.

    32 Ibid.andAalamghiri

    33 Barjandi

    34 Mirqt

    35 Aalamghiri

    36 Mabsut

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    However, precaution demands that one must not stop on the road under any

    circumstances.

    (i) It ispermissible tosmokeacigaretteupon leaving tovisit the toiletprovided that

    onedoesnothavetostopforthispurpose.

    (j) Ifanypersonwhohasgonetohishouseforthepurposeofattendingtothecadof

    nature,thenitispermissibleforhimtomakewudhutherein,afterattendingtothe

    callofnature.37

    (k) Istinjah isembracedby the term attending tocallofnature.Hence, ifaperson

    suffers from thediseaseofurinedrops,hecangooutside for thepurposeonlyof

    istinjah.For this reason, thejuristshaveset forth istinjahasaseparategroundof

    necessity

    entitling

    a

    person

    to

    leave

    apart

    from

    the

    ground

    of

    attending

    to

    the

    call

    ofnature.38

    10.2GhuslIt ispermissible for thepersonperforming Itikf to leavethemosque forthepurposeof

    GhuslofJanabahintheeventofemissionofsemen.

    ThisissubjecttotheexplanationthatifsuchapersoncanmakeGhuslwhilstremainingin

    themosque,forexample,bysittinginsomebigtubandperformingGhuslinamannerthat

    the

    water

    does

    not

    fall

    in

    the

    mosque,

    then

    it

    is

    not

    permissible

    for

    him

    to

    go

    outside.

    However, if this isnotpossibleor there isextremedifficulty thenhemaygooutside for

    GhuslofJanabah.39 IfthereisaGhuslKhanahinthemosque,thenhemustperformGhusl

    there.However, if there isnoGhuslKhanah in themosque,or it isnotpossible tomake

    Ghuslthereinforsomereason,orifthereisextremehardship,thenonecanperformGhusl

    inone'shome.

    ApartfromGhuslofJanabah,itisnotpermissibletoleavetheMosqueforanyotherGhusl.

    Itis

    not

    permissible

    to

    leave

    the

    mosque

    for

    the

    purpose

    of

    Jumuah

    Ghusl

    or

    aGhusl

    to

    cooloneself. Ifonehas leftthemosque forthispurposethenthe Itikf isrenderedvoid.

    However,ifonewishestomakeJumuahGhuslorcooloneself,thenhemustadoptsucha

    coursethatthewaterdoesnotdripintothemosque.Forexample,hemustsitinsometub

    andbathehimself,ormakeGhuslatthecornerofthemosqueinsuchawaythatthewater

    dripsoutsidethemosque.

    37 MajmaulAnhar

    38 Shmi

    39 FathulQadir

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    Inshort,inthecaseofMasnnItikfoneshouldnotleavethemosqueforJumuahGhusl

    orforthepurposeofcoolingoneselfbymeansofGhusl.Ontheotherhand,onecandothis

    inthecaseofNafl Itikf.InsuchasituationtheItikfwillnotbeeffectivefortheperiod

    onespendsoutsideinGhusl.

    (a) Ifsuchaplace ispresent inthemosquethatthepersonperformingItikfcanmake

    wudhu thereinwhilsthimself remaining in themosqueand thewaterdripsoutside

    themosque,thenitisnotpermissibletogooutsidethemosqueforwudhu.Insucha

    situation,itisnotpermissibleforthepersonperformingItikftogotothewudhu.

    Insomemosques,watertankshavebeeninstalledforthoseperformingItikfinsuch

    a manner that the water of the tank drips outside the mosque, but the person

    performing Itikf remains within the mosque. If such facility is available in the

    mosque,

    then

    it

    must

    be

    utilised.

    If

    such

    facility

    is

    not

    available,

    then

    instead

    of

    performingwudhuby tap,oneshouldarrangewithapersonwho isnotperforming

    Itikf to bring water in a container, and thereafter one should makewudhu in a

    cornerofthemosqueinsuchamannerthatthewaterdripsoutsidethemosque.

    (b) Ifthisisnotpossibleinanymosque,thenitispermissibletogooutsidethemosqueto

    thewudhukhanaforwudhu,orifthereisnowudhukhana,thentoanearbyplace.40

    Thisappliestoallformsofwudhuwhetherforfardhsalhornafl'ibdah.

    (c)

    Inthose

    situations

    where

    it

    is

    permissible

    for

    the

    person

    performing

    Itikf

    to

    go

    outsideforthepurposeofwudhu,itispermissibleforhimtousemiswk,toothpaste,

    applysoap,ruboilonbodypartstogetherwithmakingwudhu.However,afterwudhu

    itisnotpermissibletostayoutsidethemosqueforevenonemomentorstoponthe

    road.

    10.3EatingIfapersonhasanotheravailabletobringfoodandwaterforhimtothemosque,thenit

    is not permissible for such a person performing Itikf to leave the mosque for the

    purposeof

    fetching

    food.

    If,

    however,

    he

    does

    not

    have

    available

    any

    person

    to

    bring

    food and water, then it is permissible for him to leave the mosque to bring food.41

    However,thefoodmustbebroughttothemosqueandeatentherein.42

    Suchapersonmoreovermustbear inmind thathemust leave themosqueata time

    whenhe isabletoreceivethefood.But ifhehastowaitforsometimetoreceivethe

    food,thereisnoobjection.

    40 Shmi

    41 AlBahrUrRiq

    42 KifyatulMufti

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    10.4Adhn(a) If amuadhdhin is performing Itikf and he has to leave the mosque for the

    purposeofgivingAdhn,thenitispermissibleforhimtogooutside.Buthemust

    notremainthereaftergivingtheAdhn.

    (b) Ifapersonisnotamu'adhdhinbuthewishestogiveAdhnforaparticulartime,

    then it is permissible for him to leave the mosque for the purpose of giving

    Adhn.43

    (c) Ifthedooroftheminaretofthemosqueissituatedwithinthemosque,thenitis

    absolutely permissible for the person performing Itikf to climb the minaret

    becauseitwillconstitutepartofthemosque.However,ifthedoorofthemosque

    isoutsidethemosqueitself,thenapartfromtheneedtogiveAdhn,theperson

    performing

    Itikf

    is

    not

    permitted

    to

    climb

    such

    a

    minaret.

    44

    10.5JumuahSalh(a) It ispreferable that Itikfbemade in such amosquewhereJumu'ah Salh is

    performedsothat it isnotnecessary togooutside forJumu'ah.However, ifno

    Jumuah Salh is said in a particularmosque and only five times Salh is said

    therein,thenitispermissibletoperformItikfinsuchamosque.45

    (b) Insuchasituation,itispermissibletogotoanothermosquetoperformJumuah

    Salh.

    However,

    one

    must

    leave

    for

    this

    purpose

    at

    such

    a

    time

    that,

    in

    his

    estimation,uponreachingtheJam'iMosque,hewillbeabletoperformthefour

    rakah sunnah,and thereafter,witness immediately the commencementof the

    khutbah.46

    (c) If the person performing Itikf has gone to a certain mosque to perform

    Jumu'ah,thenhemayperformsunnahprayersaftercompletingthefardhinthat

    mosque.However,hecannotremain(inthemosque)thereafter.47Ifheremains

    foraperiodexceedingnecessitythenhisItikf isnotrenderedvoidbecausehe

    hasremained

    in

    amosque.

    48

    43 Mabsut

    44 Shmi

    45 ShmiandAalamgiri

    46 Aalamgiri

    47 Aalamgiri

    48 Badi

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    (d) IfapersongoestoaJam'iMosquetoperformJumuahandthereafterremains

    thereandcompletes the remainingperiodof Itikf, thenhis Itikfwillremain

    valid.Thisactis,however,makrh.49

    10.6TransferofMosqueIt

    is

    necessary

    for

    every

    person

    performing

    Itikf

    to

    complete

    his

    Itikf

    in

    the

    mosque

    where he commenced it.However, ifhe is facedwith such anextremedifficulty and

    hardship that it is not possible for him to complete the Itikf in such amosque, for

    example,becausesuchamosquemaycollapse,orheisremovedtherefromundercom

    pulsion,orthereisastrongdangertolifeorpropertybystayingthere(inthemosque),

    then it ispermissibletomovetoanothermosqueandcompletetheItikfthere.Ifone

    hasleftforthispurpose,theItikfwillnotberenderedvoid,providedthatuponleaving

    onedoesnotwaitorremainontheroadbutproceedsdirectlytotheothermosque.50

    10.7JanzahSalhandVisitingtheSick(a) Generally it is not permissible for the person performing Itikf to leave the

    mosquetoparticipateinJanzahSalhortovisitthesick.However,ifoneleftto

    attendthecallofnature,andincidentally,ontheroadenquiredofsomeperson's

    healthorparticipatedinaJanzahSalh,thentheItikfisnotrenderedvoid.51

    Thisissubjecttotheconditionthatthepersondidnotleavewiththeintentionof

    participatinginJanzahSalhorvisitingthesick,butthathisintentionofleaving

    wastoattendthecallofnature,andthereafterhealsodidtheseacts.Thisisso

    because if he leaves with the intention of doing these acts, then his Itikf is

    renderedvoid.52 It isalsoaconditionthatonemustnothavetomovefromthe

    road to perform theJanzah Salh or visit the sick, but that these acts are

    performedontheroaditself.

    Moreover, one should visit or enquire of the sick whilst one is walking on.

    Consequently,Hadrat AyeshaRadiallhu anha has said that theHoly Prophet

    Sallallhualayhiwasallamenquiredofthesickwhilstwalkingon,andhedidnot

    change

    his

    way

    for

    this

    purpose.

    53

    In

    regard

    to

    Janzah

    Salh

    it

    is

    a

    condition

    that

    onedoesnotstopatallaftertheSalhitself.54

    (b) Apartfromthis,ifapersonmakesaconditionatthetimeoftheintentionofthe

    ItikfitselftotheeffectthatifhewishesduringthecourseoftheI'tikftovisita

    certainsickperson,orparticipateinJanzahSalh,orattendacertainIslmicor

    49 FathulQadirandAalamghiri

    50 FathulQadirandAalamghiri

    51 Badi

    52 Shmi

    53 AbDawd

    54 Mirqt

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    religiousgathering,hewilldoso,theninsuchasituationitispermissibletoleave

    themosqueforthesepurposes,andhisItikfwillnottherebyberenderedvoid.

    However, inthismanner,his Itikfwillbecomeanaflone,andwillnotremain

    Masnn.

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    FactorsthatrenderItikfvoidItikfisrenderedvoidbythefollowingfactors:

    1. Apart from thenecessitiesmentionedabove (Chap.10), Itikf is rendered void if the

    personperforming

    Itikf

    leaves

    the

    hudd

    of

    the

    mosque

    for

    any

    other

    purpose

    althoughsuchleavingisforonemoment.55Itisclearthatonewillbesaidtohaveleftthe

    mosquewhenthefeet(ofthepersonperformingItikf)havebeenputoutsideinsucha

    mannerthataccordingtocustomonewillbesaidtohaveleftthemosque.Hence,ifonly

    theheadisleftoutsidethemosque,thentheItikfshallnottherebyberenderedvoid.56

    2. Similarly, if a person performing Itikf leaves for a valid Shar necessity, but after

    completing such a necessity, he waits or stays outside (the mosque) even for one

    moment,thentheItikfistherebyrenderedvoid.57

    3. IfoneleavesthemosquewithoutqvalidSharreasonorneed,whetherintentionally,in

    forgetfulnessorbymistake,theninsuchsituationstheItikfisrenderedvoid.However,

    one will not sin for rendering the Itikf void if the leaving is due to mistake or

    forgetfulness.58

    4. The Itikfwillalsoberenderedvoid ifapersonundermistakenbeliefentersapartof

    theareaofthemosquethinkingthatitfallswithinthehuddofthemosque,whereasin

    fact

    it

    is

    excluded

    therefrom.

    Hence,

    it

    was

    emphasized

    in

    the

    beginning

    that

    one

    must

    properlyascertainthehuddofthemosquebeforecommencingItikf.

    5. Sincefasting isaconditionfor Itikf, ifthefastbreaksthentheItikf isrenderedvoid

    accordingly, irrespective whether such fast was broken for a valid reason or not, or

    intentionally or by mistake. In each of these cases, the Itikf is rendered void. The

    meaning of breaking fast by mistake is that a person whilst remembering that he is

    fastingdoessome involuntaryactwhich isopposed to the requirementof fasting; for

    example, thepersoncontinuedeatinguntil the riseofdawn,ormade iftrbefore the

    settingof

    the

    sun

    under

    the

    mistaken

    belief

    that

    the

    time

    for

    iftr

    had

    passed;

    or

    whilst

    garglingwaterenteredthegulletbymistakealthoughthepersonrememberedthathe

    was fasting. Inall thesesituations, the fast isbrokenand the Itikf iscorrespondingly

    renderedvoid.

    55 Hidyah

    56 AlBahrur Riq

    57 Shmi

    58 Ibid.

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    However, ifaperson forgot thathewas fastingand insuchstateof forgetfulnessate,

    anddranksomething,thenbothhisfastandItikfarenotrenderedvoid.59

    6. Itikf is also rendered void by sexual intercourse whether done intentionally or by

    mistake,andwhetherdoneduringthedayornight, insidethemosqueoroutside,and

    whetheremissionresultsornot.Inallthesesituations,theItikfisrenderedvoid.

    7. Kissing and cuddling is not permissible during the course of Itikf. If this causes

    emission, then the Itikf is rendered void. However, if no emission results then

    notwithstandingitsillegality,theItikfisnotrenderedvoid.60

    SituationsinwhichitispermissibletobreakItikfItispermissibletobreakItikfinthefollowingsituations:

    1. IfsuchadiseaseemergesduringthecourseofItikfwhichisnotpossibletocureexceptby

    leavingthemosque,thenitispermissibletobreaktheItikf.

    2. ItispermissibletobreakItikfandgooutside(themosque)inordertosaveapersonwhoisdrowningorburningortopreventafire.61

    3. It ispermissibletobreakItikfbecauseofextremediseasewhichmayhaveafflictedone'sparents,wifeorchildren.

    4. ItispermissibletobreakItikfifoneiscompelledtogooutside(themosque),forexample,

    ifawarrantofarrestisissuedbythegovernment.

    5. Ifajanzaharrivesand there isnobodyelse toperform theJanzahSalh, thenalso it is

    permissibletobreaktheItikf.62

    59 DurreMukhtarandShmi

    60 Hidyah

    61 Shmi

    62 FathulQadir

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    TheconsequencesofbreakingItikf:RulesofQadh1. IftheItikfMasnnisrenderedvoidforanyofthereasonssetforthabove,thenitiswjib

    tomakeqadahonlyofthatdayinwhichtheItikfwasrenderedvoid.Itisnotwjibtomake

    qadahofthefulltendays.63Theprocedureofmakingqadahofthisonedayisasfollows:

    IfthereistuneremaininginthatRamadhn,thenonemustperformItikfwiththeniyyah

    ofqadah in thatRamadhncommencing from the settingof thesunofonedayuntil the

    settingofthesunofthefollowingday.IfthereisnottimeinthatparticularRamadhnorifit

    isnotpossibleforanyreasontoperformItikftherein,thenapartfromRamadhn,onecan

    keepfastonanydayandperformItikfforoneday.Ontheotherhand,ifonemakesqadah

    the followingRamadhn thisalsowillbevalid.However, there isnoguaranteeof fifeand

    accordinglyonemustmakeqadahasquicklyaspossible.

    2. Ifthe ItikfMasnn isrenderedvoid, it isnotnecessarytoleavethemosque.Butonecan

    continuetheItikffortheremainderofthelasttendayswithniyyahofnafl.Inthisway,the

    sunnahalmuakkadahwillnotbefulfilledbutthawbwillbeobtainedforthenaflItikf.On

    theotherhand, iftheItikfwasrenderedvoidduetosome involuntarymistake,then it is

    not inconceivable that Allh Tala may bestow in His infinite mercy the reward of the

    masnnItikfofthelasttendays.Hence,itispreferableinthecaseofthebreakingofthe

    Itikf to continue the Itikf until the termination of the last ten days. However, it is

    permissible if a person does not continue the Itikf after the breaking thereof. It is also

    permissible

    to

    leave

    on

    the

    day

    that

    the

    Itikf

    is

    broken

    and

    to

    commence

    a

    nafl

    Itikf

    with

    naflniyyahthefollowingday.

    3. Althoughthejuristshavenotwrittenwithpreciseclaritytheprocedurefortheqadahofone

    day'sItikf,thefollowingappearstobetheprocedureaccordingtogeneralprinciples:ifthe

    Itikfwas renderedvoidduring theday, thenonlyaday'sqadah isreturned, that is,one

    mustenterbeforesubhsadqforthepurposeofqadah,keepfastandhavethesamedayat

    the time of the setting of the sun in the evening. On the other hand, if the Itikf was

    renderedvoidinthenight,thenqadahmustbekeptofboththenightandday,thatis,one

    mustenter

    the

    mosque

    before

    the

    setting

    of

    the

    sun

    in

    the

    evening,

    stay

    the

    night

    in

    the

    mosque,keepfast,andleavethenextdayafterthesettingofthesun.

    TheAdab[Etiquette]ofItikfInviewof the fact that thepurposeof Itikf is towithdrawoneself fromworldlyaffairsand

    devoteoneselfentirelytotheremembranceofAllh,therefore,onemustduringthecourseof

    Itikfavoidunnecessarytalkandwork.Whatevertimeonefinds,onemustspendsuchtimein

    performingnawafil(Salh),tilawahalQur'n,andother'Ibdah,dhikrandTasbihh.Moreover,

    thelearningandteachingof'ilmofDn,lecturesandnasihahandstudyofIslmicbooksisnot

    onlypermissible

    but

    also

    acause

    of

    obtaining

    thawb.

    63 Shmi

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    Permissibleacts[Mubht]inItikfThefollowingactsarepermissibleinthestateofItikf.

    1. Eatinganddrinking.

    2. Necessarytransactionsofpurchaseandsalerelatingtothenecessitiesoflife.However,

    itisnotpermissibletomakethemosqueacentreoftradeassuch.64

    3. Sleeping.

    4. Haircutprovidedthehairdoesnotfallinthemosque.

    5. Talkingandconversation,butitisnecessarytoavoidunnecessarytalk.65

    6. TocontractaNikhorothertransactions.66

    7. Tochangeclothes,applyscentandoil.67

    8. Toassistasickpersoninthemosque,applybandageorshowhimamedicine.68

    9. TogivelessonsontheQur'anorIlmofDn.69

    10.

    Towash

    and

    sew

    clothes

    provided

    that

    when

    washing

    the

    person

    remains

    within

    the

    mosqueand thewater fallsoutside themosque.Thisrulingalsoapplies in thecaseof

    washingpotsorutensils.

    11. Topasswindinthemosqueatthetimeofnecessity.70

    Moreover,allthoseactionsarepermissibleinItikfwhicharenotmakrhorrendertheItikf

    void,andwhichactionsinthemselvesarehall.

    64 Qdhikan

    65 Shmi

    66 AlBahr

    67 KulsatulFatwa

    68 FatwaDarulUloom

    69 Shmi

    70 Shmi

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    MakrhatofItikfThefollowingmattersaremakrhinthestateofItikf:

    1. ToadoptcompletesilencebecausetheadoptionofcompletesilenceintheSharahdoes

    notconstitute

    Ibdah.

    If

    one

    adopts

    silence

    with

    the

    intention

    that

    such

    silence

    is

    ibdah,then,hewillreceivethesinofbidah.However,thereisnoobjectionifonedoes

    not regard silenceas ibdahandendeavours to remain silent inorder toavoid sin.71

    However,wheneveranecessityarises,onemustnotavoidorabstainfromtalk.

    2. Toindulgeinunnecessaryandvaintalk;someconversationispermissibleinaccordance

    withnecessity,but it isobligatory toavoidmaking themosqueaplaceofvanitiesand

    unnecessarytalk.72

    3. Tobringgoodsoftradeandthrowtheminthemosque.

    4. To enclose such area of the mosque for the purpose of Itikf that other persons

    performingItikforSalharecauseddifficultyorhardship.

    5. To charge a fee forwriting,or sewing clothes,or teachingon thepartof theperson

    performing Itikfhasbeenconsideredasmakrhbythejurists.73However, ifaperson

    cannotearntoprovideforItikfforthefastsofthedaysofItikfwithoutchargingsuch

    fee,

    then

    it

    is

    permissible

    for

    him

    to

    do

    so,

    on

    the

    analogy

    of

    sale.

    (And

    Allh

    knows

    best).

    71 DurreMukhtr

    72 MinhatulKliq

    73 AlBahr

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    PARTFOUR:MANDHURITIKFIntroductionThesecondcategoryof Itikf is ItikfMandhur, that is,that Itikfwhichapersonhasmade

    obligatoryupon

    himself

    by

    taking

    avow

    [nadhr].

    Having regard to the fact that this particular form of Itikf is rare m occurrence, only the

    necessary rules have been set out below. For details, one should refer to the books of

    jurisprudenceoraMufti.

    MeaningofNadhr1. Forthepurposeofnadhr,itisnecessarytoemployorusesuchasentence,themeaningand

    effect of which is that a person has made Itikf obligatory upon himself, or that such

    sentence is in commonusageemployed in themeaningofnadhr; forexample,aperson

    says:

    IhavemadetheItikfofacertaindayobligatoryuponmyself.

    or

    IammakingacontractwithAllhthatIwillmakeItikfonaparticulardayorifAllhcuresa

    certainsickperson,thenIwillmakeItikfforacertainnumberofdays."

    Intheabovesituations,thenadhrwilltakeeffectandtheItikfwillbecomewjib.

    Consequently,itisnecessarytoexpressthewordsofnadhrverbally.Itwillnotsufficetomake

    intentiontoperformItikfintheheart.Hence,ifapersonintendsinhishearttomakeItikfon

    aparticularday,thenItikfwillnotbecomewjibuponhimmerelybyvirtueofsuchintention.

    Moreover,nadhrwillnotcome into force ifapersonverballyexpressesan intention tomake

    Itikf;forinstance,hesays:

    ItismyintentiontoperformItikfonaparticularday"

    Thesewordswillnotbringnadhrintoforce.74

    2. Ifapersonsaysthat'InshaAllh,IwillperformItikfonaparticularday",thennadhrdoes

    notcome into forcebyvirtueof thesewords,and Itikfwillnotbecomeobligatoryupon

    suchperson.Insuchevent,ifheperformsItikfitisgood.Ifnot,itisalsopermissible.

    3. If,withoutusingthewords,'InshaAllh',hesays,"IwillperformItikfonaparticularday",

    andhedoesnotuseanyworddenoting'Nadhr'[Vow]or'contract',thenitisapparentthat

    74 ImddulFatwa

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    Nadhrdoesnot come into force.However, it isbetteroutof precaution to acton these

    words.

    CategoriesofNadhrandtheirLegalEffectTherearetwocategoriesofNadhr:

    (i)Nadhr

    Muayyan,

    and

    (ii)NadhrGhayrMuayyan.

    (i) NadhrMu'ayyan:thismeansthattheNiyyahof Itikf ismadeforspecificdayordaysormonth;forexample,apersonmakesNadhrthathewillperformItikfinthelasttendays

    ofSha'ban,inwhicheventitiswjibtoperformItikfinthesedaysofSha'ban.However,if

    for some reasonhecannotkeep fasts in thesedays, thenhemustmakeqadah inother

    days.75

    (h) Nadhr Ghayr Mu'ayyan: this means that no specific month or day is fixed for theperformanceof Itikf;forexample,apersonmakesNadhrthathewillperform Itikffor

    threedays.Hence,itwillbepermissibleforhimtoperformItikfinallthosedaysinwhich

    it isvalidtokeepfasts,andaccordingly,hisNadhrwillbefulfilled ifheperforms Itikf in

    suchdays.

    MannerofFulfillingNadhr1. Fasting is a condition forMandhr Itikf.Hence, theperformanceof Itikf ina stateof

    fastingisobligatoryatalltimeswhethersuchItikfiscardedoutinRamadhnornot.

    2. IfapersonhasmadeNadhrfortheItikfofoneday,thentheperformanceofaday'sItikf

    will bewjibuponhim.Accordingly,he shouldenter themosquebefore subh sdiq and

    thereafterleaveafterthesettingofthesunintheevening.However,atthetimeofmaking

    Nadhrforoneday,intentionwasmadeinthehearttoperformItikffortwentyforhours

    that is,thenightwillalsobespent in Itikf,then Itikfwillbeobligatory fortwenty four

    hours.76 In sucha situation, theperson inquestion should,as in thecaseof the Itikfof

    Ramadhn, enter the mosque before the setting of the sun, and thereafter, emerge

    therefromafter

    the

    next

    setting

    of

    the

    sun.

    3. IfapersonmadeNadhrforthe Itikfofonenightonly,thensuchNadhrwillnotbevalid,

    andhewillnotbeobligedt6doanything.This issobecause fasting isnotpossibleatthe

    timeofnightand(Mandhr) Itikf isnotpossiblewithout fasting. IfatthetimeofNadhr,

    therewasanintentiontoincludethedayaspartoftheNadhr,thenalsotheNadhrwillnot

    bevalid,andnoobligationwillresult.

    75 Shmi

    76 AlBahr

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    4. IfapersonmadeNadhrfortheItikfoftwoormoredays,thentheItikfofbothdaysand

    nightswillbeobligatory.

    5. IfapersonmadeNadhrfortheItikfoftwoormorenights,thenalsotheItikfofboth

    daysandnightswillbeobligatory.

    6. IfapersonmadeNadhrforthe Itikfoftwoormoredays,withthe intentionthathewill

    perform Itikfonly during the day andwill leave themosque in theevening, then such

    intention is legally valid. In such a situation, only the Itikf of the day will be wjib.

    Consequently,suchapersonwillenterthemosquedailybeforesubhsdiqand,thereafter,

    leaveafterthesettingofthesun.

    7. IftheNadhrwasfortheItikfoftwoormorenightsandtheintentionwasconfinedtothe

    performance

    of

    Itikf

    at

    the

    time

    of

    night,

    then

    no

    obligation

    results.

    8. InthosesituationswherethenightwasincludedwiththedayintheNadhrItikf,thenthe

    procedurewillbetoenterthemosquebeforethesettingofthesun,that is,tocommence

    theItikffromtheevening.

    9. IfapersonhasmadeNadhrfortheItikfofmorethanoneday,thenhewillbeobligedto

    perform Itikf consecutively without interruption for the period in question. He cannot

    breaktheItikfinthemiddle.Forinstance,apersonmadeNadhrthat"IwillperformItikf

    forone

    month,

    then

    it

    is

    wjib,

    for

    him

    to

    continuously

    without

    break

    per

    form

    Itikf

    in

    a

    stateof fasting foronemonth. Ifhemissesoneday, thenhewillbebound tobegin the

    Itikf foronemonthagain.However, ifatthetimeofNadhr,hestatedclearlythatIwill

    perform Itikf for thirty separate interrupted days, then in such event Itikf may be

    performedwithbreaksorinterruptionsandneednotbeconsecutive

    (TheseruleshavebeentakenfromAlBahralRiq)

    TheFidyahofItikfMandhr1. IfapersonhasmadeNadhr for theperformanceof Itikfandhewasunable to fulfil the

    Nadhralthough

    he

    found

    time

    to

    fulfil

    same

    to

    the

    extent

    that

    death

    dawned

    upon

    him,

    thenitiswjibuponhimtomakewasiyyahtohisheirstogivefidyahinplaceofsuchItikf.

    Thefidyahofoneday Itikf isapproximatelyoneandthreequarterkilogramsofwheator

    itsvalue.77

    2. However, ifsuchapersonnever found the time tocarryout theNadhr forexample,he

    madeNadhrinastateofsicknessandthereafterdiedbeforehewasabletorecover,thenno

    obligationresults.

    77 AcontraryfatwahasbeenexpressedinKhulasahalFatwa

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    3. InthecaseofthebreakingofMasnnItikfwhichresultsintheobligationofqada',therule

    isthesame,namelythatfidyahbecomeswjibifqada'isnotdonealthoughthetimeforitis

    available.Ifthetimeisnotavailable,noobligationresults.78

    RestrictionsofMandhurItikfItikf

    Mandhr

    is

    subject

    to

    the

    same

    restrictions

    as

    in

    the

    case

    of

    Itikf

    Masnn,

    and

    which

    havebeenexplained indetailwhendealingwith the latter.For thosematters in thecaseof

    ItikfMasnn, it ispermissible to leave (themosque), it issimilarlypermissible to leave (the

    mosque)inthiscasealso.Conversely,thosematterswhichareprohibitedunderMasnnItikf

    aresimilarlyprohibitedhere.

    However,there isonedifference,namelythat ifapersonatthetimeofNadhrstatesverbally

    thathewillleavethemosqueforthepurposeofjanzahprayer,orvisitingthesick,orattending

    a religious lectureordiscussionormajlis, then itwillbepermissible forhim togooutside for

    thesepurposes,andtherewillbenodifferenceinthefulfilmentofMandhrItikfbysogoing

    outsideforthesepurposes.

    78 Qadhikan

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    PARTFIVE:NAFLITIKFNaflItikf1. ThethirdcategoryofItikf isNaflItikf.Thisformof Itikf isnotsubjecttotime,fasting,

    day,night

    on

    the

    contrary,

    aperson

    will

    receive

    the

    reward

    of

    Itikf

    if

    he

    enters

    the

    mosquewiththeintentionofItikfatanytimeandforwhateverperiod.

    2. InthelasttendaysofRamadhn,ifapersonperformsItikfwiththerequisiteintentionfor

    lessthantendays,thensuchItikfwillbeNaflItikf.

    3. Ifapersongoes to themosque for thepurposeofSalhandat the timeofentering (the

    mosque)formulatesanintentiontotheeffectthathewillremaininItikfforwhatevertime

    hespendsinthemosque,thensuchpersonwillreceivetherewardofItikf.

    Thisissuchaneasyactionthatitrequiresforitsfulfilmentneithermuchtimenoreffort,and

    one receives gratis reward. All that is required is intention and concentration.

    Notwithstanding it isamatterofgreat regret ifwe,depriveourselvesof this reward.The

    requirementofthisRahmahofAllhisthatapersoninculcatesthehabitthatwheneverhe

    visitsthemosqueforanywork,hemakesthe intentionofItikfsothathe isnotexcluded

    fromthisfadlah.

    4.

    Nafl

    Itikf

    remains

    in

    force

    for

    the

    period

    that

    the

    person

    is

    in

    the

    mosque.

    Upon

    leaving

    or

    emergingfromthemosque,thisItikfends.

    5. ThepersonperformingNaflItikfshouldcompletetheItikffor,theperiodordaysthathe

    intendedtoundergoinItikf.

    However, if he leaves the mosque for some reason prior to completion of the intended

    period, then he will receive reward for the period he remained in the mosque. For the

    remaining(that is,uncompleted)period,he isnotobliged(that is,itisnotwjibuponhim)

    tomake

    qadh.

    79

    6. If aperson, forexample,made intention to perform Itikf for three days and thereafter

    uponenteringthemosque,hecommitsanactwhichbreakshisItikf,theninsucheventhis

    Itikf is completed that is, he will receive the reward for the period he spent in the

    mosquepriortothebreakingofhisItikf,andfurthermore,noqada'iswjibuponhim(for

    theuncompletedperiod). In thisevent,hemay leave themosque ifhewishes,or remain

    therein by making a new intention of Itikf. In such a situation, it is preferable that he

    completestheperiodforwhichhehadmadetheintentionofItikf.

    79 Shmi

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    7. Thosethatareunabletoavailthemse