I'tikaf: Difference between revisions

Leaving the mosque during I'tikaf is not permitted. However there are exceptions such as: participation in [[Salat al-Jum'a]], participation in funeral (tashi'), giving testimony, visiting a sick and preparing food and water. Even in these cases, Mu'takif must not sit while being out of the mosque and must not walk in shade as much as possible.

Sexual activities - even kissing -, using perfumes, selling and buying - except for food and other necessary things - and arguing about worldly affairs are forbidden ([[Haram]]) to the Mu'takif. Some of the above-mentioned activities void the I'tikaf and also cause [[Kaffarah]] (atonement).

I'tikaf as an important jurisprudential topic was a subject of some individual and independent works. [[Muhammad b. Idris al-Shafi'i]] and [[Dawud b. Ali al-Isfahani]], from Sunni and [[Abu al-Fadl al-Sabuni]] and [[Shaykh al-Saduq]] from Shi'a are some of the most famous faqihs who have authored independent writings about I'tikaf.

- Al-I'tikafiyyah: written by [[Mu'in al-Din Salim b. Badran al-Basri]] (alive in 626/1229).

- Al-I'tikafiyyah or Ma' al-hayat wa safi al-furat: written by [[Shaykh Lutf Allah Miysi al-Isfahani]] (d. 1033/1624) which is published recently by the effort of [[Rasul Ja'fariyan]].

- Al-Kafaf fi masa'il al-I'tikaf: written by Mulla [[Muhammad Ja'far Shari'atmadar Astarabadi]] (d. 1263/1847). A copy of it is preserved in the library of [[Ayatollah Mar'ashi Najafi]] in [[Qom]].

- Al-I'tikafiyyah: written by [[Sayyid Muhammad Ali Shahristani]] (d. 1290/1873). [[Aqa Buzurg Tihrani]] reported that he found copies of it in some personal libraries.