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Spiritual Retreat (Iʿtikāf) in the Holy Month of Ramadan and its Rulings - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Spiritual Retreat (Iʿtikāf) in the Holy Month of Ramadan and its Rulings 2025-03-17 701 Views Supererogatory Acts Introduction The practice of Iʿtikāf (spiritual retreat) in the holy month of Ramadan is a highly recommended act of worship in Islam, offering believers an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection and devotion Rooted in the tradition of the (peace be upon him and his family).

Iʿtikāf involves secluding oneself in a mosque for a specified period and engaging in acts of worship such as prayer, supplication , and Qur’anic recitation. This practice serves as a means of detachment from worldly distractions and a way to strengthen one’s connection with Allah. Islamic jurisprudence provides detailed rulings on Iʿtikāf, including its conditions, obligations, recommended practices, duration, and requirements for its validity.

This research examines the significance of the spiritual retreat (Iʿtikāf) and its rulings based on the religious verdicts (Fatawa) of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani to provide clarity for those seeking to engage in this act of worship.

Contents Introduction Definition of Iʿtikāf Status of Iʿtikāf Significance of Iʿtikāf Conditions of the Validity of Iʿtikāf Length of the Iʿtikāf Prohibited Acts During Iʿtikāf References Definition of Iʿtikāf In the first instance, the Arabic term “Iʿtikāf” is derived from three letters ” ‘a-k-f ” which mostly means adhering to, devoting to, or dedicating to something as a sign of honoring [1] .

The derivatives of this word such as “‘Akif” (meaning resident) in Qur’an 22:25 and “Ma’kuf” (meaning forbidden) in Qur’an 48:25 have been used in the glorious Qur’an in the same meaning. Therefore, from the literal meaning, the term Iʿtikāf suggests sticking and adhering to, or being regular in something. However, in jurisprudence, the term Iʿtikāf is defined as staying and residing in a mosque for at least three days and also observing the required conditions to gain proximity to Allah [2] .