Fatwa ID: 09020
Answered by Maulana Nahid Uddin
Question:
If a woman becomes pure before the sunset of 20th Ramadhan, can she sit in I’tikaf (even tho she never fasted the 20th fast)?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
If a woman becomes pure from menstruation before sunset on the 20th of Ramadan but did not fast that day, she cannot validly commence itikaaf for that day because the شرط (fasting) was not fulfilled. Even though she is now pure and eligible for worship, the absence of fasting on that day invalidates her itikaaf. Imam Kasani states that fasting is a condition for the validity of itikaaf. [1]
Nonetheless, she should prepare to begin her itikaaf from the next day (the night of the 21st), ensuring that she fasts that day, thereby fulfilling the condition.
It is important to note that the Sunnah itikaaf of the last ten days begins before sunset on the 20th with the intention and state of fasting for the 21st, and for women, it’s best to perform it at home. Since she was excused due to menstruation, there is no sin upon her. [2]
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Maulana Nahid Uddin
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
– خِلَافٍ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِنَا، وَعِنْدَ الشَّافِعِيِّ لَيْسَ بِشَرْطٍ، وَيَصِحُّ الِاعْتِكَافُ بِدُونِ الصَّوْمِ وَالْمَسْأَلَةُ مُخْتَلِفَةٌ بَيْنَ الصَّحَابَةِ ﵃ وَرُوِيَ عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَعَائِشَةَ وَإِحْدَى الرِّوَايَتَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ﵃ مِثْلُ مَذْهَبِنَا.
Badai Al-Sanai, Chapter on the conditions for the validity of Itikaaf, Page 109. Assessed on Maktabah Al-Shamilah 28-04-26
[2]
– قال الحسن عن أبي حنيفة: وليس للمرأة أن تعتكف في بيتها في غير مسجدها (٣)، وإنّما يراد بمسجد البيت: الموضع المعدّ للصلاة، فهو في حقّها
Sharh Muktasar Al-Kharkhi, Chapter on Itikaaf, Page 402. Assessed on Maktabah Al-Shamilah 28-04-26