Indexed OCR Text

I'tikaf
Course
By
Maulana
Ghuman
Muhammad Ilyas
Translated & Edited By
Mufti A.H. Elias
Ahnaf Media Services

Author's Foreword
11
Achieving maximum benefit from the Course
12
The Virtues and Rules of I'tikaf
14
Definition of l'tikaf
14
Virtues of l'tikaf
14
Categories and Rules of l'tikaf
17
Wajib l'tikaf
17
Rules of Wajib l'tikaf
17
Sunnah l'tikaf
19
Rules of the Sunnah l'tikaf
19
Actions permitted in l'tikaf
22
Actions prohibited in l'tikaf
23
Relieving oneself
23
Compulsory Ghusl (Bath)
24
Performing Wudhu
25
Leaving the Masjid for Food and drink
26
Leaving the Masjid for Jumuah Salah
26
Leaving the Masjid to call the Azan
27
Miscellaneous Ruling
27
Nafl I'tikaf
28
Some beneficial practices in l'tikaf
28
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Tahiyyatul Wudhu
29
Tahiyyatul Masjid
30
Ishraq Salah
30
Chasht Salah
31
Awwabeen Salah
32
Tahajjud Salah
33
The Rakats of Tahajjud
34
Salatut Tasbeeh
35
Tawheed
37
Tawheed has three categories
37
1. Tawheed Ruboobiyyat
37
2. Tawheed Uloohiyyat
37
3. Tawheed Sifat
38
Nubuwwat and Risalat
39
Definition of Nabi
39
1. The difference between a Rasool and a Nabi
39
2. The number of Prophets and Messengers
39
3. Humanity and Noor (Celestial light)
40
4. Sinless and Protected
40
The Life of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam
40
Hearing of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam
41
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Seal of Prophethood
41
Descent of Hadhrat Esa Alayhis Salam
42
Qiyamat
43
1. Definition of Qiyamat
43
2. Death
43
3. Types of Qiyamat
44
Minor Qiyamat
44
Major Qiyamat
44
4. Qabr (The Grave)
44
5. The return of the soul and the Interrogation
45
6. Qiyamat and resurrection
46
7. The Reckoning
47
8. Pul Sirat
47
9. Haudhe Kawthar
48
10. Entrance to Jannah and entrance to Jahannam
48
Sahabah
49
Definition of a Sahabi
49
The greatness of a Sahabi
49
The Benchmark of Iman and Aa'mal
50
The Honourable Ahlul Bayt Radhiyallahu Anhum
50
Khilafat Rashidah
51
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The Disputes amongst the Sahabah R.A
52
The Position of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah
53
Criticism and the right to criticise
53
Ijtihad and Taqleed
54
Definition of ljtihad
54
Necessity of Ijtihad
54
When is Ijtihad made?
55
The responsibility of the masses
57
The Mujtahid Imams
58
Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (RA)
58
Removing a misconception
59
Imam A'zam in the view of other Imams
60
Imam Malik (RA)
61
Imam Shafi'i (RA)
62
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RA)
62
Knowledge and Practice
64
Reading the Quran
64
Understanding the Quran
64
Acting in accordance to the Quran
65
The conditions for Bay'at
66
Forty Ahadith
67
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1. The Pillars of Islam
67
2. Finality of Prophethood
68
3. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is alive
69
4. Preservation of the bodies of the Ambiya A.S
69
5. The Hearing of Durood and Salam
70
6. Virtue of Durood Shareef
71
7. Presentation of Deeds
72
8.Qiyamat
72
9. Intercession
73
10. Waseela
74
11. Virtue of Salah
75
12. Folding the hands below the navel in Salah
75
13. Not reciting Qirat behind the Imam
76
14. Reciting Aameen softly
77
15. Not raising the hands during Salah
77
16. Three Rakats of Witr
78
17. Virtue of fasting
79
18. The virtue of Qurbani
80
19. Four Takbeers in Salatul Janazah
81
20. Twenty Rakats of Taraweeh
82
21. Greatness of the Sahabah
82
22. The Greatness of Fiqh
83
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23. The status of the Faqeeh
84
24. The status of the Muhadditheen
85
25. The inheritance of the Ambiya Alayhimus Salam ... 85
26. Virtue of the Quran
86
27. Memorising the Quran
87
28. Following the Sunnah
88
29. Refuting Bid'ah
89
30. The rights of Muslims
90
31. The rights of Parents
90
32. The rights of children
91
33. The rights of the husband
92
34. The rights of the wife
93
35. The virtue of Madinah Munawwarah
94
36. Spending in the path of Allah
94
37. Building a Masjid
95
38. Bay'at
96
39. The Zikr of Allah
97
40. A Good Death
98
Masnoon Duas
99
Dua on awakening
99
Dua before entering the toilet
99
Dua after exiting the toilet
99
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Dua on commencing Wudhu
99
Dua during Wudhu
100
Dua on completing Wudhu
100
Dua on leaving the home
100
Dua on entering the Masjid
101
Replying to the Azan
101
Dua after Azan
102
Replying to the Iqamah
102
Dua when reciting the Quran
103
Recitations after Salah
103
Dua after Salah
103
Lifting the hands in Dua after Salah
104
Dua on leaving the Masjid
104
Dua at moments of joy
104
Dua in moments of difficulty
105
Dua before eating
105
Dua after eating
105
Dua after drinking milk
106
Dua when removing clothes
106
When changing clothes
107
When wearing new clothes
107
Dua when looking into a mirror
107
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Dua for a person departing on a journey
107
Dua of a traveller when bidding someone farewell
108
When driving a vehicle
108
Reciting Takbeer and Tasbeeh during the journey
108
When halting or leaving the vehicle while travelling .. 108
Dua when returning from a journey
109
Dua for any type of discomfort or pain
109
Dua when a strong wind blows
109
Dua at the time of lightning and thunder
110
Dua for rain
110
Dua when it begins raining
110
Dua after rain
110
Dua to remove difficulties and distress
111
Dua for cure from every sickness.
111
Masnoon Ruqyah to be recited for any sick person
.111
Dua when the closes the eyes of the deceased
112
Dua when visiting the cemetery
112
Dua when lowering the deceased in the grave
112
Dua after burying the deceased
113
Dua when entering a shopping area
113
Dua when eating the first fruit of the season
113
When a person marries
114
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Congratulating a person on their marriage
114
Dua before conjugal relations with one's spouse
114
Dua on seeing the new moon
115
Dua on breaking the fast
115
Dua on Laylatul Qadr
115
Duas before sleeping
116
Additional recitations:
116
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Author's Foreword
The book "I'tikaf Course" which is a priceless gift for the
Mu'takifeen1 is in your hands. There were two primary reasons
for its compilation:
1-
Many Muslims perform the Ibadah2 of I'tikaf in the last ten
days of Ramadan. The blessed moments of Ramadan, the
remembrance of Allah and His worship, in the blessed environs of
the Masjid, has its own natural resplendence, but due to
ignorance of the rules of I'tikaf, innumerable errors occur, to the
extent that, at times, even the I'tikaf becomes invalid. For this
reason, a great need was perceived to compile the essential
rulings of l'tikaf in a concise manner.
2-
The combination of ten days of seclusion and the spiritual
environment of the Masjid creates an extremely valuable
opportunity for the Mu'takif's intellectual and practical
reformation. When a person devotes himself to anything with
determination, then, undoubtedly, it will penetrate his heart. For
this reason, the need arose to compile such a course, which in
keeping with ten days of I'tikaf, will be concise and effective.
1 Mu'takifeen is the plural of Mu'takif. A Mu'takif is a person in I'tikaaf (confining
oneself to the Masjid for the sake of Allah).
2 Ibaadah = a form of worship.
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For these reasons, this course has been compiled,
comprising of: essential rulings of l'tikaf, specific practices of
I'tikaf, some fundamental principles, and realities and a collection
of 40 Ahadith on different topics.
Every effort has been made to keep this course as brief as
possible for ease in its learning and teaching. Accordingly, Masail
are stated without the evidences they are based on.
Achieving maximum benefit from the Course
One method of benefitting from this course is for the
Imam or an Alim linked to the Masjid to set one time in which to,
daily, teach the course to the Mu'takifeen and wherein they may
discuss the same. A second time is set for the lesson to be
repeated wherein the Alim will listen to the course being
explained by the Mu'takifeen. To simplify matters, the course
has been divided into 9 or 10 parts so that one part may be
discussed every day.
Another manner of benefitting from the course is to divide
the 9 or 10 parts amongst the Mu'takifeen for their personal
study. They will in turn revert to the Imam or an Alim for any
areas that require clarification. However, the first method is
easier and has greater benefit.
Give great importance to making Dua during your l'tikaf
and make special Dua for the safety of the Muslim world. Kindly
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remember this incapable one in your Duas as well, that Allah
Ta'ala may use him for His Deen and grant him a death on Iman.
Was Salam
Muhammad Ilyas Ghuman
Markaz Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah, Khanqah Hanfia, Sarghoda
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The Virtues and Rules of l'tikaf
Definition of l'tikaf
The linguistic meaning of l'tikaf is "to wait" or "to stop".
The person performing l'tikaf "waits" and "stops" at a specific
place (the Masjid for men and a specified place in the home for
women). Therefore, it is called "l'tikaf".
Virtues of l'tikaf
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ العَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ
اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ»
Hadhrat Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha reports, "Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam would perform I'tikaf in the last ten
days of Ramadan until Allah decreed his passing away. After his
demise, his wives would perform l'tikaf." (Bukhari)
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
« .. وَمَنِ اعْتَكَفَ يَوْمًا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النَّارِ ثَلَاثَ خَنَادِقَ، كُلُّ خَتْدَقٍ
أَبَعْدُ مِمَّا بَيْنَ الْخَافِقَيْنِ»
Hadhrat Ibn Abbas Radhiyallahu Anhuma reports that
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, "Whoever performs
I'tikaf for a day seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will create a
barrier of three trenches between him and Jahannum; every
trench will wider than the distance between the sky and the
earth. (Mu'jamul Awsat)
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Note: Subhanallah! When the I'tikaf of just one day holds this
virtue, then what will be the virtue of ten days of I'tikaf in the
blessed month of Ramadan? Fortunate are those individuals who
spend the blessed hours of Ramadan in I'tikaf and become
worthy of this reward.
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ فِي الْمُعْتَكِفِ «هُوَ
يَعْكِفُ الذُّنُوبَ، وَيُجْرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْحَسَنَاتِ كَعَامِلِ الْحَسَنَاتِ كُلِّهَا»
Hadhrat Ibn Abbas Radhiyallahu Anhuma reports that
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, "Those in l'tikaf are
protected from sin and every good deed is recorded for them as
if they had actually performed them." (Ibn Majah)
Note: This Hadith mentions two benefits of l'tikaf:
1. As long as the Mu'takif is in I'tikaf, he is saved from sin.
2. The good deeds that he would perform outside the Masjid,
like visiting the sick, performing Janazah Salah, assisting
the poor, sitting in the gatherings of the Ulama, will be
recorded in his books of deeds even though he is unable to
perform them due to his l'tikaf.
مَنِ اعْتَكَفَ إِيمَاناً وَاحْتِساباً غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Another Hadith mentions, "Whoever performs l'tikaf for
the pleasure of Allah with faith and sincerity, his previous sins will
be forgiven." (Kanzul Ummal)
Note: The sins being forgiven in this Hadith refers to minor
sins because repentance is a condition for the forgiveness of
major sins. However, if the Mu'takif spends the blessed moments
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of I'tikaf, begging in earnest from Allah with sorrow and tears,
asking Allah's forgiveness with sincerity and promising never to
commit the same again, then there is no doubt that his major
sons will also be forgiven. In this case, the meaning of the Hadith
of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam will also encompass
major sins that will be forgiven during the l'tikaf. It is, therefore,
essential for the Mu'takif to repent and seek forgiveness from
Allah.
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُجَاوِرُ فِي العَشْرِ
الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَيَقُولُ: «تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ القَدْرِ فِي العَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ»
Hadhrat Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha reports, "Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam would perform I'tikaf in the last ten
days of Ramadan and he Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam would say,
'Search for Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.""
(Bukhari)
Note: The purpose of I'tikaf is to find Laylatul-Qadr, the
virtue of which exceeds a thousand months. Further, this Hadith
indicates the importance of searching for Laylatul-Qadr in the last
ten nights from which the odd nights have specified in other
Ahadith. Hence, it is best to spend every night of the last nights in
worship. At the very least, we must endeavour to spend the odd
nights in worship.
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Categories and Rules of l'tikaf
There are three categories of l'tikaf: Wajib3, Sunnah4 and
Nafl5.
Wajib l'tikaf
l'tikaf becomes Wajib on two occasions:
1. If one takes a vow to perform I'tikaf, it becomes Wajib
2. If one nullifies the Sunnah I'tikaf, its Qadha6 becomes
Wajib.
Rules of Wajib l'tikaf
1. When a person vows to perform l'tikaf, l'tikaf becomes
Wajib whether the vow was conditional or not.
2. A vow has no effect if only intended in the heart. It only
comes into effect when stated by the tongue.
3. It is necessary to fast when performing an I'tikaf by vow,
irrespective of whether the fast is of Ramadan or another
month or whether the l'tikaf is in Ramadan or another
month.
3 Wajib = Compulsory
4 Sunnah = The practice of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam
5 Nafl = Optional or voluntary
6 Qadha = performance of a missed or nullified worship
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4. If a person vows to perform I'tikaf for a day, then only one
day becomes compulsory. If he intended 24 hours with his
vow, then 24 hours becomes compulsory.
5. If a person takes a vow, stating that I will perform l'tikaf
for only one night and in his heart he intends the day as
well, then this vow is invalid. This is because fasting cannot
be done at night.
6. If a person vows to perform I'tikaf for more than one day,
then he will have to perform I'tikaf for the intended
amount of days including its nights. Similarly, if a person
vows to perform I'tikaf for more than one night, then he
will have to perform I'tikaf for the intended amount of
nights including its days.
7. If a person vows to perform l'tikaf for more than one day
and his intention is only to perform I'tikaf during the day
and that he will leave the Masjid at night, his intention is
valid. This person will have to be in the Masjid before
Subah Sadiq7 and may leave after sunset.
8. If a person vows to perform l'tikaf for a number of days,
then it is Wajib for the I'tikaf with its fast to be kept on
consecutive days. A break is not allowed between those
days. However if at the time of taking the vow, the person
specified verbally that he will keep l'tikaf on different
days, then this is permitted.
7 Subah Saadiq = True dawn, the time when sehri ends.
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9. The reasons for which a person is allowed to leave the
Masjid during Sunnah I'tikaf are the same for Wajib I'tikaf.
Similarly, the reasons that prohibit leaving the Masjid for
Sunnah I'tikaf apply to Wajib I'tikaf as well.
Sunnah l'tikaf
Sunnah I'tikaf refers to the l'tikaf that takes place in the
last ten days of Ramadan.
Rules of the Sunnah l'tikaf
1. The Sunnah I'tikaf of Ramadan commences at the sunset
of the 20th day of fasting and ends when the moon of Eid is
sighted. The Mu'takif should ensure that before the sunset
of the 20th day he is present in his place of l'tikaf.
2. The I'tikaf of Ramadan is Sunnah Mu-akkadah& Alal
Kifayah9. This means that if even one person performs
I'tikaf in any Masjid of each suburb of a city or any Masjid
in a village, then the Sunnah will be fulfilled on behalf of all
its residents. However, if no one person performs l'tikaf,
then every one of them will be sinful.
8 Sunnah Mu-akkadah = an emphasized Sunnah that Rasulullah continuously
performed.
9 Alal Kifayah = Actions whose performance is necessary, e.g. bathing a deceased
Muslim. The amount of people performing the action is irrelevant so long as the
action itself is fulfilled.
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3. In whichever suburb or village l'tikaf is performed, the
Sunnah will be fulfilled on behalf of its residents even if
the person performing l'tikaf is not from the area.
4. Performing I'tikaf of a few days during the last ten nights
of Ramadan is a Nafl I'tikaf, not a Sunnah l'tikaf.
5. Women will perform I'tikaf in their homes instead of the
Masjid.
6. In performing the Sunnah I'tikaf, it is sufficient to have this
intention in the heart, "I am performing the Sunnah l'tikaf
of the last ten days of Ramadan for the pleasure of Allah."
7. It is not permissible to pay someone to sit for l'tikaf.
8. If more than one person sits for I'tikaf then everyone will
receive the reward.
9. The intention for I'tikaf should be made before the sunset
of the 20th day. If a person is in the Masjid on time but
makes intention for I'tikaf after the sun has set, then he
has missed the Sunnah l'tikaf.
10. The following requirements are necessary for the validity
of the Sunnah l'tikaf:
a. To be a Muslim
b. To be sane
c. To make the intention for l'tikaf
d. For men to make l'tikaf in the Masjid
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