I’tikaaf and the Last 10 Nights

Laylatul Qadr

The last ten nights of Ramadan have been given extra importance by the Prophet ﷺ who would

“when the last ten nights began Allah’s Messenger kept awake at night, wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe salah” [Sahih Muslim 1174]

Why are the last 10 nights so important?

Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Decree) takes place in one of the odd nights of the last 10 nights. Allah revealed a chapter in the Quran in honour of this night and described it as “better than a thousand months”.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Search for Laylatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” [Sahih Bukhari, 2017]

What should you say in these last 10 nights?

This very question was on the mind of A’isha, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ. A’isha asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul-Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

 

O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, and you love to forgive. So forgive me. [Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, 3513]

I’tikaaf

I’tikaaf is an act of worship which entails seclusion in the mosque for a period of time where a person engages in the remembrance of Allah, the recitation of Quran and the purification of their soul through prayer. I’tikaaf is a place specific act of worship which can only be done in the mosque as Allah says:

وَلاَ تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ

 

“And do not be intimate with your spouses whilst in I’tikaaf in the mosques” [Al Baqara 187]

Can I do I’tikaaf?

If you would like to do I’tikaaf at IANL this year please click here and fill out the form. The deadline to submit your application is the evening of Thursday 28/03/2024. If you do not hear from us by Sunday 30/03/2024 consider your application unsuccessful.