Fatwa ID: 06601

Answered by: Maulana Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Question:

If a person is not sure if he will do the full 10 days i’tikaf, should he make just intention of nafl?

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

Answer:

Allāh Ta’ālā has made the performing of I’tikāf compulsory upon the Ummah. As long as a few individuals from every locality perform it, the mandate will be considered fulfilled for that locality. However, if no one in a locality performs I’tikāf then the entire locality will be held accountable and stand sinful.

The conditions for its fulfilment are that it is completed in the final ten days of Ramadhān while in the state of fasting. [Radd ul-Muhtār: vol. 3, pg. 428] [1]

If a person is unable to complete the full 9/10 days (dependent on the new moon being sighted for Eid) then they perform Nafl I’tikāf for whatever period is manageable for them.

Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1]أن الصوم شرط في بعض أنواع الإعتكاف وهو واجب والشرط يتقدم على المشروط، وإن الإعتكاف يطلب مؤكدا في العشر الأخير من رمضان فيختم الصوم به