Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 232

I'tikaf (Seclusion in the Mosque) in the Month of Ramadan

باب الاعتكاف في رمضان

This chapter turns to I'tikaf: withdrawing into the mosque for focused worship, especially in the final days of Ramadan. It is a time to step back from daily distractions and give the heart fully to remembrance and prayer.

The hadith show the Prophet keeping this practice each year, and his family continuing it after him. The thread to carry away is the value of setting aside dedicated time, near the close of Ramadan, to seek nearness to Allah.

Hadith 1268

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما، قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet would seclude himself in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan. It points to these final days as a special time to intensify devotion.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1268 In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 1

Hadith 1269

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان، حتى توفاه الله، تعالى ثم اعتكف أزواجه من بعده‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to engage himself in I'tikaf (seclusion for prayers) in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan till he passed away; thereafter, his wives followed this practice after him. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet kept up this seclusion in the mosque every Ramadan until he passed away, and his wives continued it afterward. His lasting example, carried on by his family, shows how cherished the practice was.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1269 In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 2

Hadith 1270

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف في كل رمضان عشرة أيام، فلما كان العام الذي قبض فيه اعتكف عشرين يومًا ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to observe I'tikaf every year (during Ramadan) for ten days; in the year in which he passed away, he observed I'tikaf for twenty days. [Al-Bukhari].

In plain words

The Prophet usually secluded himself for ten days, but in his final year he did so for twenty. It shows he deepened this worship even further as his life drew toward its end.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1270 In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 3