Answer
Short Answer:
- Nowadays, due to the virus outbreak, almost all mosques are closed. This means that iโtikaf is not levied upon the Muslims this Ramadan.
- Be they men or women, the requirement of doing iโtikaf is not applicable. Especially if the local government has banned it. And Allah knows best.
- However, this does not mean that Muslims cannot try to observe the iโtikaf spirit in their homes. They can try to do it, and they should.
- Bear in mind, sister, that it is not easy for a woman to do iโtikaf at home. Even if she follows the minority opinion, and attempts to sit for iโtikaf in her home prayer area.
- She might find it very difficult to isolate herself for iโtikaf adequately at home. Most women have many domestic obligations related to family members. Most of the time, their services are needed by others, especially during Ramadan.
- If a woman feels that she will be able to do iโtikaf for some time less than ten days, she may. Be it a few hours every day, or a few days, during the last ten days of Ramadan.
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Asalaamu alaykum, and thank you for the question.
May Allah reward you for your zeal to do extra worship during Ramadan, sister. Please find below, the answers to your questions:
Itikaf is only valid in a Jamia mosque
The iโtikaf that is performed in the last 10 days of Ramadan, is only valid in a mosque. Allah says in the Qurโan:
โโฆ.when you are about to abide in meditation in the houses of worship.โ [2:187]
The words in the Qurโan are very clear. As was the practice of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) during his life. His wives would perform iโtikaf in Ramadan. However, despite their homes being adjacent to the mosque itself. None of them performed iโtikaf inside their homes. Rather, they shifted to the mosque for this purpose. And this is what he instructed them to do.
This is because the whole point of iโtikaf is seclusion. Cutting oneself off from oneโs regular routine, space, and occupations. This is, understandably, very difficult to do in oneโs home.
The majority of Muslim scholars opine that iโtikaf is only valid inside a mosque. Be it done by a man, or a woman. Muslim women may do iโtikaf inside a mosque if their legal guardian allows it. Also, the space in the mosque should be suitable for maintaining their privacy and security.
How Can a Woman Observe Itikaf this Ramadan?
Your next question is very pertinent, sister. Nowadays, due to the virus outbreak, almost all mosques are closed for prayers and itikaf. This means that iโtikaf is not levied upon the Muslims this Ramadan.
Be they men or women, the requirement of doing iโtikaf is not applicable. Especially if the local government has banned it. And Allah knows best.
However, this does not mean that Muslims cannot try to observe the iโtikaf spirit in their homes. They can try to do it, and they should.
Nevertheless. Allah rewards, and never wastes, even an iota of good done by a Muslim, man or woman.
Less is more, do what you can
Bear in mind, sister, that it is not easy for a woman to do iโtikaf at home. Even if she follows the minority opinion, and attempts to sit for iโtikaf in her home prayer area.
She might find it very difficult to isolate herself for iโtikaf adequately at home. Most women have many domestic obligations related to family members. Most of the time, their services are needed by others, especially during Ramadan.
If a woman feels that she will be able to do iโtikaf for some time less than ten days, she may. Be it a few hours every day, or a few days, during the last ten days of Ramadan. If her personal routine allows her to observe the spirit of iโtikaf, Allah will appreciate any effort that she makes.
However, she should not neglect her obligatory duties due to iโtikaf.
Videos about the topic of Iโtikaf
Lastly, since you requested a video related to iโtikaf. Please find below, a list of videos that can enlighten you:
Women Iโtikaf at Mosques or at Homes? (Omar Suleiman)
Shaykh Yasir Qadhi Itikaf Virtues (Dr. Yasir Qadhi)
How Can Women Do Itikaf? (Abu Eesa)
Can Women Do Itikaf at Home? (Dr. Muhammad Salah)
For a simple list of doโs and donโts related to iโtikaf, please visit this link.
And Allah knows best.
I hope that this answers your question.
Salam. Please stay in touch.
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