The Chapter on I'tikaf

It is remaining in a mosque in obedience to Allah, Exalted is He …

His statement, “I'tikaf,” is the form ifti'al derived from 'ukuf: that is, entering into a state of devotion. It is taken from the expression 'akafa 'ala al-shay', meaning that one remains with something and persists in it. Hence Abraham, peace be upon him, said to his people:

“What are these statues to which you are devoted?” [al-Anbiya 21:52]

That is, to which you remain devoted. And Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“They are devoted to idols of their own.” [al-A'raf 7:138]

That is, they remain with them and persist in worshipping them.

In the religious sense, the author defines it as: “Remaining in a mosque in obedience to Allah, Exalted is He.”

You should know that definitions in Islamic law are more specific than linguistic definitions; that is, linguistic definitions are generally broader and more inclusive than legal definitions.

For example, zakat linguistically means growth, whereas in Islamic law it does not carry this meaning alone.

Likewise, salah linguistically means supplication, whereas in Islamic law it has a more specific meaning—except in the case of iman (faith). Linguistically, faith means affirmation and acknowledgment, but in Islamic law it consists of speech, action, and belief. This is the position of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah: they hold that the legal meaning of faith is broader than its linguistic meaning.

His statement, “It is remaining in a mosque in obedience to Allah,” excludes remaining in one’s home; thus, if