Fatwa ID: 03906

Answered by: Alimah Sumeyye Sofu

Question

Assalamu alaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu

I need your advice, please. 

In shaa Allah, I am intending to sit for Itikaaf for one full day. However, my mother cannot manage everything at home and she has leg pains, so usually, I do the household work and help her.  So now, if I sit for i'tikaf, she has to manage the housework. So, what should I do?  Should I prioritize sitting for Itikaaf? Please advise me as soon as possible.

JazakAllahu khairan for all your help and patience.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

To do itikaf in Ramadan is sunnah[1] but treating your parents well is very important in Islam as the Holy Qur´an has made compulsory for the child to treat his parents with goodness.

It is mentioned in the Holy Qur´an; “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” [2]

Abu Huraira reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, “Who is most deserving of my good company?” The Prophet said: Your mother. The man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet said: Your mother. The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: Your mother. The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: Your father.[3]

My humble opinion is that you should help your mother whilst seeking the reward of Allah (SWT).

Only Allah knows best

Written by Alimah Sumeyye Sofu

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham