Virtues of Itikaaf

Virtues of Itikaaf

. .

• 1. Itikaaf makes it easy to perform salat with full devotion because the mutakif (person in Itikaaf) breaks all ties with the outside world and is in a state of tranquillity, where he is free from everything that diverts him from Allah’s remembrance. This leaves him to focus his mind solely towards Allah’s obedience and happiness.
  
  
• 2. More voluntary prayers will be performed by a mutakif because his aim is to worship his Lord and to build up a close tie with Him and the best way of achieving this is by performing salat.
  
  
• 3. The mutakif can perform his prayer in the first row. It is very easy for him to derive the full benefit of offering prayer in this row.
  Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger of Allah said,
  "Had the people known the reward of azaan and the first row, they would most certainly draw lots (to decide who should give the azaan and stand in the first row).
  [Sahih al Bukhari]
  
  
• 4. The mutakif gains the reward of waiting for salat. The Prophet said,
  "You will be regarded as performing salat while you are waiting for salat and the angels supplicate saying, 'O Allah forgive him and have mercy on him as long as he does not leave his prayer place or break wind.'"
  [Sahih al Bukhari]
  
  
• 5. One benefit of Itikaaf is that it makes a person accustomed to staying in the masjid for a long period and creates an attachment between him and the masajid. The Prophet said,
  "From amongst the seven whom Allah will give shade to on the day when there will be no shade except His shade, will be that person whose heart was attached to the masjid."
  [Sahih al Bukari]
  
  
• It becomes easy to perform the Tahajjud prayer. Normally, this is very difficult for a person because Satan tries hard to stop a person from offering this prayer and deprive him of its great reward.