Fatwaa ID: 143

Question:
I live in a an area that does not have a musjid, the closest being about 60kms, I want to sit for itikaaf,but if I do my mother who is old will be left all alone at home. Is it possible for me to as a male in these circumstances to sit for itikaaf at home.

Answer:

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Consider the following Hadith,

جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله، أجاهد؟ قال: «ألك أبوان؟» قال: نعم، قال: «ففيهما فجاهد»[1]

Translation: A man came to Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasulullaah, shall I go out to the battlefield?” Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “Are your parents alive?” He replied in the affirmative. Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Strive in serving them.” (Abu Dawood 2529)

While it is sunnah to make i’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadhaan, it is fardh to serve your mother who lives by herself. You should dedicate your time in the service of your mother. Allaah Ta’aala, with His infinite grace and mercy will reward you for serving your mother as well as your intention for i’tikaaf.

And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best.

Muajul I. Chowdhury
Student, Darul Iftaa
New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

[1]  سنن أبي داود (3/ 17)

2529 – حدثنا محمد بن كثير، أخبرنا سفيان، عن حبيب بن أبي ثابت، عن أبي العباس، عن عبد الله بن عمرو قال: جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله، أجاهد؟ قال: «ألك أبوان؟» قال: نعم، قال: «ففيهما فجاهد»، قال أبو داود: ” أبو العباس هذا الشاعر: اسمه السائب بن فروخ “

__________________
Disclaimer

Darul Iftaa New York answers questions on issues pertaining to Shari’ah. These questions and answers are placed for public view on askthemufti.us for educational purposes. The rulings given here are based on the questions posed and should be read in conjunction with the questions. Many answers are unique to a particular scenario and cannot be taken as a basis to establish a ruling in another situation. 

Darul Iftaa New York bears no responsibility with regard to its answers being used out of their intended contexts, nor with regard to any loss or damage that may be caused by acting on its answers or not doing so.

References and links to other websites should not be taken as an endorsement of all contents of those websites. 

Answers may not be used as evidence in any court of law without prior written consent of Darul Iftaa New York.