Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made a special request to people outside the secluded chamber or portion of the masjid from reciting Qur'an or prayer in a lower tone so that worship of those in I'tikaf is not disturbed.
This Hadith is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 5 Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers / كتاب التطوع / Chapter # 466 Raising One's Voice With The Recitation During The Night Prayer / باب ي رَفْعِ الصَّوْتِ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فِي صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ as Hadith number # 1332, quoted herein under:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) retired to the mosque. He heard them (the people) reciting the Qur'an in a loud voice. He removed the curtain and said: Lo! every one of you is calling his Lord quietly. One should not trouble the other and one should not raise the voice in recitation or in prayer over the voice of the other.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ : اعْتَكَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَسَمِعَهُمْ يَجْهَرُونَ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ، فَكَشَفَ السِّتْرَ وَقَالَ : " أَلاَ إِنَّ كُلَّكُمْ مُنَاجٍ رَبَّهُ فَلاَ يُؤْذِيَنَّ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا، وَلاَ يَرْفَعْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ " . أَوْ قَالَ : " فِي الصَّلاَةِ " .
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
Respecting others during I'tikaf is essential to maintaining the sanctity and purpose of this spiritual retreat. I'tikaf is a time when a Muslim isolates themselves from worldly distractions, focusing on worship, reflection, and strengthening their relationship with Allah. As I'tikaf is a deeply spiritual activity, it requires a person to maintain not only a good relationship with Allah but also to treat fellow worshippers with respect and kindness.
Here are several ways to show respect to others during I'tikaf:
- Respecting the Space and Environment:
- Quiet and Peaceful Environment: Since I'tikaf is typically observed in a mosque, it is important to maintain a peaceful and quiet environment for both yourself and others. Avoid loud conversations, unnecessary noise, and anything that may disturb fellow worshippers. This allows everyone to focus on their worship and reflection.
- Proper Behavior: Be mindful of your behavior in the mosque. Engage in acts of worship, prayer, and reflection, but avoid anything that may cause discomfort or disturbance to others. This includes avoiding unnecessary talking, playing with your phone, or engaging in actions that may distract others from their worship.
- Being Considerate of Others’ Needs:
- Sharing Space: If you are observing I'tikaf in a shared space, be considerate of others' need for privacy, comfort, and tranquility. Ensure you are not occupying excessive space or disturbing others' personal space during this time.
- Considerate Timing: Be mindful of others' prayer times and schedules, particularly when it comes to using communal areas for rest or food. Try to avoid interrupting others' worship or prayer by being in the way or taking up space at the wrong times.
- Avoiding Arguments or Disputes:
- Patience and Tolerance: During I'tikaf, you may be around a variety of individuals with different personalities, perspectives, and practices. It is important to exercise patience and tolerance. If any disagreements or conflicts arise, handle them calmly and respectfully, avoiding anger or harshness. Remember that I'tikaf is meant to purify the heart, and engaging in disputes can take away from the spiritual benefits.
- Being Humble: Maintaining humility is crucial in I'tikaf. Avoid any behavior that might show arrogance, superiority, or self-righteousness. Instead, focus on cultivating humility, being respectful to everyone regardless of their social status or background.
- Respecting Privacy:
- Respecting Personal Space: Some people may prefer solitude or quiet during I'tikaf to focus on personal reflection or worship. Respect their space and privacy, and avoid unnecessary interactions or intrusions.
- Avoiding Gossip or Negative Talk: It’s important to avoid engaging in gossip, backbiting, or speaking ill of others during I'tikaf. These negative behaviors harm the spiritual state of the person performing I'tikaf and can affect the peace and respect within the community. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, "Do not backbite each other" (Quran 49:12), which is a principle to adhere to, especially during I'tikaf.
- Maintaining Cleanliness:
- Respecting the Cleanliness of the Mosque: Keep the mosque clean and free from clutter. This includes picking up after yourself, disposing of trash properly, and maintaining a clean environment for all. It is also respectful to maintain personal cleanliness, such as performing ablutions regularly and keeping your space tidy.
- Caring for Shared Resources: If you're sharing food, drinks, or other communal resources during I'tikaf, be respectful and avoid wastage. Share generously but with consideration for others' needs, and ensure that resources are used appropriately.
- Helping and Supporting Fellow Worshippers:
- Offering Assistance: Be kind and helpful to others who may need assistance, whether it's helping with chores, sharing knowledge, or offering advice in a gentle and respectful manner. If someone is struggling with a particular aspect of worship or needs help with logistics during I'tikaf, offer your assistance with humility and kindness.
- Being Encouraging: Encourage others in their acts of worship, whether it's offering a kind word, assisting them in their study of the Quran, or reminding them of good deeds. Support each other in the pursuit of greater spirituality.
- Respecting the Imam and Religious Authorities:
- Following the Guidance of the Imam: If the mosque has an Imam or religious leader leading prayers or giving lectures, it is important to show respect for their guidance. Listen attentively to their sermons, advice, or any instructions given during I'tikaf, and follow their direction in a respectful manner.
- Seeking Knowledge with Respect: If you're engaging in religious discussions or seeking knowledge during I'tikaf, always approach the scholars, teachers, and fellow worshippers with respect, humility, and a desire for learning.
- Respecting the Time of I'tikaf:
- Avoiding Time-Wasting Activities: The purpose of I'tikaf is to focus on worship, prayer, reflection, and deepening your connection with Allah. Therefore, avoid wasting time on unnecessary conversations, watching media, or engaging in activities that distract you from the main goal of I'tikaf.
- Respecting Other People’s Worship Time: Be conscious of when others are engaged in worship or prayer. For instance, during the Taraweeh prayers, or while others are doing dhikr (remembrance of Allah), refrain from unnecessary conversation or movement in a way that could distract or disturb their focus.
- Being Mindful of the Heart: Since I'tikaf is about purifying the heart, ensure that your inner intentions toward others are sincere. Avoid harboring negative thoughts, jealousy, or pride against anyone. Approach your time in I'tikaf with a clean heart, seeking to improve yourself spiritually.
Respecting others during I'tikaf is crucial to maintaining the spiritual and communal harmony of the mosque and ensuring the purity of your worship. It requires mindfulness, humility, patience, and consideration for fellow worshippers. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a peaceful and respectful environment conducive to spiritual growth, both for yourself and others.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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