Seclusion in Ramadan

This is the time for Muslims to double their acts of worship. Although there is no compulsion in religion, it is most desirable that we exhort our family members to spend more time, as Ramadan approaches its’ most crucial period, in the sincere worship of Allah (SWT), the most high. We are encouraged to convince our wives and children to observe tahajjud; in anticipation of the mercy promised by Allah, the Lord of Mercy, during this treasured period of Ramadan.
The beginning of the last 10 days of this year’s Ramadan is three days from today. It is the most significant period of Ramadan. Imams Bukhari and Muslim both relate on the authority of Aisha (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) did not only keep awake at night in the worship of Allah (SWT) during this period of Ramadan but also woke his family members up for the same purpose. One important spiritual activity in the last 10 days of Ramadan is the religious sojourn called seclusion (i’tikaf). It is the religious act of retreating or retiring in to a mosque for purposes of worship with a view to getting closer to Allah and earning His pleasure. The Arabic word for a worshipper who observes i’tikaf is Mu’takif.
I’tikaf aims at diverting the heart of a Mu’takif from everything except Allah (SWT). All worldly activities are deserted while in i’tikaf for the sake of getting closer to the Creator of the universe. All thoughts, desires and devotions of the Mu’takif become centred on Allah (SWT). And as the Prophet (SAW) mentioned in the 38th hadith of Annawawi’s collection of 40 traditions, a Mu’takif will continue to get closer to Allah with voluntary acts of worship so much so that he becomes dearly loved by Allah; and when Allah loves His servant, He (SWT) becomes the hearing with which his servant hears, the seeing with which he sees, the hand with he takes (things), and the foot which he walks.  
Seclusion draws its basis from Qur’an 2:125 “…And we covenanted with Abraham and Ismail that they should sanctify my House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” I’tikaf is traditionally observed in a mosque where Jum’ah congregational prayer holds every Friday so that the worshipper observing the i’tikaf shall not be required to leave the premises of the mosque in which he is secluding in order to observe Jum’ah prayer in another mosque. While we cheer Muslims to observe i’tikaf, where possible along with their family members, the rules and regulations governing it must strictly be adhered to.
Imam Bukhari relates on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) used to observe i’tikaf annually in the month of Ramadan for 10 days; and in the year of his death, he remained in i’tikaf for 20 days. While scholars differ in the maximum number of days for which i’tikaf may last, there is consensus among Muslim jurists that the minimum period for i’tikaf is a day and a night. This is also the opinion of the Maliki School of Thought.
The time to enter in to i’tikaf is usually before sunset of the day the Mu’takif desires to begin the seclusion. While in i’tikaf, the Mu’takif is among other exclusions prohibited from visiting the sick and attending funeral prayers. One of the basic rules of i’tikaf is that conjugal relationships must be avoided as long as the seclusion lasts. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:87: “Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives … But do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits set by Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.” None the less, there is no harm for a Mu’takif to enter in to a marriage contract but shall not consummate the marriage during i’tikaf.
A Mu’takif is also not required to engage in extensive studies or writing of academic or research notes. What is recommended for a Mu’takif is for him to engage much in voluntary prayers, constant recitation of the holy Qur’an, and the glorification of Allah’s most beautiful names. A Mu’takif must as much as possible avoid entering in to his house or intermingling with his family members. His interaction with others should be minimised to the barest minimum except for very compelling reasons.
There is no place in the entire existing Islamic literature where i’tikaf is made obligatory on Muslims. One would therefore be seen to have gone to the extreme by seeking to observe i’tikaf at all cost and by all means, especially when such is at the detriment of one’s social responsibilities. A Muslim who sets out to observe i’tikaf in a town or city other than his place of domicile must make adequate arrangements for the cost of his transportation (to and fro) as well as for his upkeep for the entire period of the i’tikaf so that he does not at any point become a liability to fellow Muslims in the community of the mosque he chose to observe the i’tikaf.
A Mu’takif is required to, on the Eidel Fitr day; proceed directly from the mosque he observed i’tikaf to the Eid praying ground; after which he would return to his family. We pray that Allah (SWT) guides us to observe i’tikaf in the manner prescribed by sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), amin.
Interrupted rains:
Some farmers, especially in the north central geographical zone of the country, have observed that rainfall is not as regular as it should at this period of the season. Although the farmers may be wrong in their insinuation, such fears must not be ignored. While, as humans, we can survive without electricity, petrol, telephone etc; all of which are technological inventions intended to make life better on earth; it is certainly not possible to survive without food which requires rain to germinate. Now that we are in Ramadan, let us utilise this spiritual period to confess our sins, repent from them and ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness. Let us therefore pray to Allah to bless us with uninterrupted rains and bumper harvest of our crops. May the most Merciful forgive our sins and grant our prayers, amin.