Chapter on Iʿtikāf

Iʿtikāf (spiritual retreat) is recommended. It is defined as remaining in the mosque while fasting, accompanied by the intention to perform iʿtikāf.

During the retreat it is forbidden to engage in sexual intercourse, to touch with desire, or to kiss. The muʿtakif may not leave the mosque except for a basic human need or to attend the Friday prayer. There is no objection to his buying or selling while inside the mosque, provided he does not bring merchandise into it.

He should speak only of what is good, and it is disliked for him to remain totally silent. Should he have sexual intercourse, whether by night or by day, his iʿtikāf is rendered invalid.

If a person vows to observe iʿtikāf for a specified number of days, he is obliged to remain in retreat for those days together with their nights, and they must be consecutive even if he did not explicitly stipulate continuity.