Conditions of I'tikaf

**1. Muslim, Sane, Discerning:** - Not valid from a disbeliever, insane person, or non-discerning child - Puberty and being male are NOT required - Valid from a discerning child and from women **2. Intention (Niyyah):** - **Hadith:** "Actions are by intentions" [Bukhari & Muslim] - The person intends to stay in their place of retreat as worship to Allah **3. Must Be in a Mosque:** - **Quran:** "While you are staying in the mosques" [2:187] - The Prophet ﷺ always did i'tikaf in the mosque; no report of him doing it elsewhere **4. Mosque Must Have Congregational Prayer:** - Required if the i'tikaf period includes a mandatory prayer time - And if the person is one upon whom congregation is obligatory - Because i'tikaf in a mosque without congregation means either: - Missing obligatory congregation, or - Repeatedly leaving for prayers (defeating the purpose) - For women: any mosque is valid, even without congregation - Unless her i'tikaf causes fitna (trial), then she is prevented - Recommended: mosque where Friday prayer is held (but not a condition) **5. Purity from Major Impurity:** - I'tikaf is not valid for the junub (sexually impure), menstruating woman, or woman in postpartum bleeding - Because they may not stay in the mosque **Fasting is NOT a condition:** - **Hadith of Ibn Umar:** Umar said: "O Messenger of Allah, I vowed during Jahiliyyah to observe i'tikaf one night in the Sacred Mosque." He said: "Fulfill your vow" [Bukhari & Muslim] - If fasting were required, i'tikaf at night would be invalid (no fasting at night) - They are two separate acts of worship; neither requires the other