The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to practice I‘tikāf (seclusion for worship) during the last ten of Ramadan until he died. Then his wives observed I‘tikāf after him

Arabic text

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ المُؤْمنينَ 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.

Translation

‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) and wife of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to practice I‘tikāf (seclusion for worship) during the last ten of Ramadan until he died. Then his wives observed I‘tikāf after him.

Explanation

‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), informed that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) adhered to I‘tikāf during the last ten days of Ramadan in the pursuit of the Night of Decree. He continued doing so until he died. After his death, his wives (may Allah be pleased with them) adhered to I‘tikāf as well.

Benefits

• The permissibility of practicing I‘tikāf in mosques, even for women provided that they adhere to the Shariah regulations and on condition of safety from temptation.
• I‘tikāf is more confirmed in the last ten days of Ramadan given that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did it regularly.
• I‘tikāf is an ongoing Sunnah that has not been abrogated, as the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observed I‘tikāf after his death.

Topics

• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Fasting
• Seclusion for Worship in Ramadaan (I‘tikaaf)