Translation: Whoever did I’tikaf with faith in order to earn reward, all of his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Jami’-us-Sagheer, pp. 516, Hadees 8480)

Dear Islamic brothers! Have you noticed how many opportunities one gets to perform good deeds during the I’tikaf? O lovers of the Sunan of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! If possible, observe I’tikaf every year, otherwise at least observe the whole-month I’tikaf once in your life.

The Beloved and Blessed Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would always try his best to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would worship abundantly especially in Ramadan. As Layla-tul-Qadr is hidden in Ramadan, the Rasool of Rahmah, the Intercessor of the Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once did I’tikaf for the entire month in order to search for this blessed night.

Staying in the Masjid is a great blessing, a Mu’takif is so fortunate that he stays in the Masjid leaving all his activities in order to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri states: The benefits of I’tikaf are obvious, when a person does I’tikaf, he completely devotes himself to worship for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, giving up all worldly affairs and activities that obstruct him in earning the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. All of his time is spent in Salah, either physically or spiritually, because the primary purpose of performing I’tikaf is to wait for Salah with Jama’at and the reward of waiting for Salah is like that of offering Salah. A Mu’takif resembles the angels who do not disobey     Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and obey His every command, he resembles those who glorify Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ day and night and never get tired of doing so.’

(Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri, vol. 1, pp. 212)

Dear Islamic brothers! One finds lots of opportunities in the blessed month of Ramadan for performing virtuous deeds! We should also observe the whole-month I’tikaf following the blessed Sunnah of the Noblest and Blessed Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم at least once in our lives, if it is not possible every year, and