12 Ways for a Woman to Maximise I'tikaf

12 Ways for a Woman to Maximise I'tikaf
 
 
I'tikaf is not just for men. Women are also allowed to do I'tikaf as long as they have permission from their husbands.

`A'ishah (Ra) reported: "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to perform I`tikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan until he passed away; then his wives performed I`tikaf after he died." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
 
Where can a Woman do I'tikaf?

At the Masjid?

There is a difference of opinion on whether women are allowed to do i'tikaf at the Masjid. The majority of scholars state that women can only do i'tikaf at the Masjid. That is of course if the facilities are available to them and as long as they have been given permission by their husbands.

However according to the Hanafi Madhab it is not acceptable for a woman to perform i`tikaf in the Masjid, where congregational Prayers are held, as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) abandoned the I`tikaf in the Masjid when he saw the tents of his wives pitched inside the Masjid; he then said to them, "Is it righteousness that you intended by doing so?"

Are women allowed to do I'tikaf at her home?

There is a difference of opinion whether a women can do I'tikaf at a designated place at her home. The Hanbalis, some Shafi's & some Malikis say that a woman can only sit I'tikaf at the Masjid, whereas the Hanafi's, some Shafi's & some Malikis say it is permissible for a women to do I'tikaf at a designated place in her home because if her prayer is preferred at home then surely her I'tikaf should also be preferred at home.

They opine that the place of i`tikaf for women is that preferred by them when they perform their daily Prayers, because, unlike men's Prayer, women's Prayer at home is better than their Prayer in the mosque. Accordingly, the place of i`tikaf for women should be their own musalla at home. Abu Hanifah and Ath-Thawri (Ra) stated, "She [i.e., a woman> can perform i`tikaf in her own musalla at home. It is better for her to do so, as her Prayer at home is better than [her Prayer> in the mosque."

In addition, as a woman's own musalla at home is the most preferred place for her to offer Prayers; hence, her place of i`tikaf [(which is the musalla] ) is like the mosque for men where men are to perform i`tikaf.

They state that a woman sitting I'tikaf at home can perform her domestic duties in her designated room for I'tikaf for e.g.. cooking, ironing etc. But it is best if she takes care of all her responsibilities so that she can devote as much time as possible to worship. They should perform I'tikaf in the room set aside for prayer inside their homes. Where, however, no such room exists, and the desire to observe I'tikaf is present, the room where Salah is normally performed should be set aside for this seclusion. If Salah is performed in the bedroom, I'tikaf could be performed there. The domestic duties should be carried out by the daughters or servants while the person in I'tikaf remains constantly in 'ibadah in her room.

They may not leave her designated room unless it is absolutely necessary. The same rules apply to women sitting I'tikaf as they do for men. They can do i`tikaf there at any time, even for a brief period of time, [Radd al-Muhtar] and attain the great rewards mentioned in the hadiths for i`tikaf (as long as they fulfill their other worldly and religious duties, as is the case for men).

The full communal Sunnah i`tikaf is for the entire ten days (in the Masjid, for men). This is not expected of those working or housewives, for that matter. If one is able to arrange things, and one�s husband agrees, one may perform I`tikaf for the entire 10 days.

However, the fiqh principle is that, �If something cannot be done completely, it should not be left completely.�

Thus, whenever free of pressing responsibilities, women should go to their place of worship, intending i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), even if only for a short amount of time, and keep themselves busy as much as possible in worship.

Such an I`tikaf is valid (and recommended) even outside Ramadan for women. In fact, it is best for them to intend i`tikaf every time they enter their place of worship (musalla) even for their daily prayers.

It is not valid for men to do i`tikaf in other than a mosque. [Durr]

Can women on their menses do I'tikaf at home?

Some scholars of the Hanafi Madhab state that a women on menses are permitted to sit I'tikaf at her designated place at home. She can do everything except read the Qur'an and pray Salaah. So she can make Dhikr, Dua, listen to Qur'an recitation & read, learn & ponder over the translation and explanation of the Qur'an.

However many scholars other state that If, during the I'tikaf, the woman has her hadith (monthly menses) or nifas (bleeding after child birth), the I'tikaf is nullified. She has to observe make-up of the remaining days after she is pure again. This is if the I'tikaf was a wajib or Sunnah, in which the vowed number of days was fixed. In the case where the Itikaf was a wajib in which the days vowed for were not fixed in number, she will have to observe make-up of the full I'tikaf.


Other rules that apply to women:

 a. A woman may perform I'tikaf in the room that is used for her daily Salah.
 b. A woman must have the permission of her husband for I'tikaf. Once the husband has consented to his wife's I'tikaf, he then cannot withdraw his permission.
 c. If there is no person to serve her meals during I'tikaf, the woman is allowed to go to the kitchen to prepare a quick simple meal.


The Virtues of I'tikaf:
 
 
The benefits & rewards for sitting I'tikaf are immense:
 

Ali Ibn Hussain (RA) narrates from his father that Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: �He who observes the ten days I�tikaf during Ramadhan will obtain the reward of two Hajj & two Umrah.� (Bayhaqi)
 
Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) reported that Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: �Whosoever for Allah�s sake did even one days I�tikaf, Allah would keep him away from Jahannam by trenches.� (Tabarani)
 
What an amazing opportunity for us to gain such immense & abundant rewards as well as closeness to Allah. We can also take this opportunity to strengthen & boost our Imaan (faith) for the rest of the year.
 
 
The following are 12 ways for a Woman to Maximize I'tikaf:
 
 
 
1. Purifying intentions
 
 
 
"Verily actions are judged by intention." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
 
It is crucial that we purify & correct our intentions before doing any act of worship. This is because we may have other underlying intentions in our hearts without even realizing it. Like for e.g. we may have in our hearts that we will sit I'tikaf to have fun with friends or to look good in front of others & family etc.
 
So before doing any good deed we need to correct our intentions so that we are more sincere in our worship. The better our intentions, the greater the rewards for whatever good we are doing.
 
Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: "Maybe a small action is made great by its intention, & maybe a great action is made small by its intention."
 
So for I'tikaf we should make as many good intentions as possible like for example we are sitting I'tikaf to draw closer to Allah, to strengthen one's Imaan, to correct one's heart & purify oneself etc.
 
 
2. Schedule & Monitor Daily Worship
 

What better way to maximise our worship during I'tikaf than to plan & schedule our time so that we can spend it as effectively as possible. By setting ourselves daily targets we can ensure that we are more likely to achieve them.
 
Below are links where you can download an hourly scheduler where you can set yourself hourly worship targets & schedule your daily worship. There is also a daily worship check where you can check & monitor your daily worship throughout the last ten nights:
 
 
1. Daily I'tikaf Worship check
 
 
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2. I'tikaf hourly worship scheduler
 
 

 
 
 
3. Exerting oneself in worship during last 10 night's
 
 
Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim).
 
 
Aisha (RA) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) & used to pray all the night, & used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)
 
 
The last ten days & nights of Ramadan are the most blessed. Therefore the person sitting I'tikaf should exert themselves in worship in each night of the last ten nights particularly the last ten odd numbered nights: 21, 23, 25, 27, 29.
 
By worshipping in as many of the last ten nights as possible there is more chance we will catch The night of power & gain the reward of over 83 years of worship! Subhanallah! that's longer than an average human life!
 
 
4. Reciting Qur'an abundantly
 
 
The Qur'an was revealed on the night of Power, so we should increase our recitation even more during the last ten days & nights. The pious predecessors used to increase the amount of Qur'an they recited during the last ten days & nights.
 
Remember: The reward for reciting each letter of the Qur'an during Ramadan is 700 good deeds or more. But to recite it during Laylatul Qadr is immeasurable! Subhanallah!
 
So we should make a target during I'tikaf using the scheduler provided of how much Qur'an we will recite each day & night. We should aim to complete at least one whole Qur'an if not more by the end of I'tikaf.
 
Along with recitation we should also read & learn the meanings of the Qur'an. We should contemplate & ponder over the verses & implement what we read & learn into our daily lives.
 
Note: We should try & recite Surah Ya-sin everyday particularly after Fajr time. We should also recite Surah Mulk before we going to sleep & Surah Kahf every Jumma. Other very rewarding Surahs we can recite much of are Surah's Zilzalah, Al Kaafirun & Al Ikhlas
 
Abdullah Ibn �Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (RA) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, �Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur�an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur�an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur�an�. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A)

 
It is not permissible for Woman on Menses to recite the Qur'an:

Scholars state that It is not permissible to touch Qur�an without Wudhu�. In case of IPad and phones, one will need to flip the pages by touching the screen, and in doing so one will touch the Quranic inscription as well. The same ruling of impermissibility will apply to these devices as well.

They say If a woman has memorized the Quran, and there is fear of her forgetting the Quran, due to not being able to recite during the menstrual period, then she has two options:

She may use a cloth to hold the Quran and recite in her mind without moving her lips.
She may listen to someone reciting the Quran, or she may listen to a CD recording of the Quran.

Therefore a woman on her menses should read the translation, meaning as and explanation of the Qur'an and can also listen to the Qur'an until they in a state of purity.

5. Nawafil (Voluntary) prayers
 
 
What better way of drawing closer to Allah during I'tikaf than by praying the voluntary prayers:
 
Allah says in Hadith Qudsi:
 
....And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, [Bukhari]
 
Does anyone want the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah? Then increase in praying the Nawafil prayers:
 
Rabi'ah Ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., Nawafil prayers)." (Muslim)
 
The reward for praying fard prayers outside of Ramadan is the greatest a Muslim can gain but in Ramadan we get the same reward for praying a Nawafil prayer. Subhaanallah! What other time of the year are Nawafil prayers rewarded equal to that of a fard prayer?
 
Therefore we should strive to pray as many Nawafils as possible during I'tikaf so we can get closer to Allah, gain the company of the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in Jannah as well as gain the rewards of a fard prayer for each nawafil prayer!
 
 
Sunnah & Nawafil prayers to pray during I'tikaf:
 
 
1. Pray 12 Raka'ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr & 2 Sunnah of Maghrib
 
Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: �A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day & night, to seek pleasure of Allah.� (Muslim)
 
2. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)
 
So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur'an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise & pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.
 
'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats & it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' (Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505)
 
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. (Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
 
3. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nawafil of Dhuhr
 
Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: �Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer & four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.� (Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)
 
4. 4 Raka'ahs Sunnah of Asr
 
The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said:"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka'ahs) before 'Asr prayer."(Abu Dawud)
 
5. Two Raka'ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid
 
Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: �If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.� (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
 
6. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka'ahs Sunnah after doing Wudu (Ablution)
 
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): �Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.� Bilal (RA) replied: �I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.� (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)�
 
7. The MOST REWARDING Nawafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud
 
Allah Most High said: �Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, & (the recital of) the Qur�an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur�an at dawn is ever witnessed. And some part of the night awake for its recital, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised estate.� (Qur�an, 17: 78-79)
 
Imam Abu Sa'id al-Khadimi said, "There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous acts is the night vigil prayer." [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]
 
 
The scholars derived the following in regards to Tahajjud from the Qur'an & Prophetic Hadiths:
 
1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 Rakaats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
 
2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 Rakaats, because this was the general practice of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
 
3. Lengthier recitation of Qur'an is superior to a larger number of Rakaats prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtaar, Radd al-Muhtar]
 
If one has not memorized much of the Qur'an then one should recite whatever they know or recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Faathiha in each rakah to gain reward of reciting entire Qur'an.
 
4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short Rakaats, because of the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats." [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]
 
Whilst in I'tikaf we should aim to pray Tahajjud every night in the last 10 nights. If not then we should pray it in as many nights as we possibly can particularly in the nights of the 21,23,25,27 & 29.
 
One should wake up a little earlier for Sehri, making Wudu & pray a minimum of 2 Raka'ahs of Tahajjud. It is best to pray at least 8 Raka'ahs.
 
Abu Hurayrah (RA), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth & proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, & I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything & I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, & I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).
 
The last third portion of the night is the most blessed & Dua's are readily accepted at this time. So by praying Tahajjud it gives us the best opportunity to get closer to Allah & to make sincere Dua, repenting for our sins past & present & to crying & asking of Allah for whatever we want.
 
If we cannot cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least make the face as if we are crying. Just as a mother tends to her baby quicker & more promptly when it is crying in the same way Allah tends to his servants quicker when they are crying.
 
Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "I cannot pray at night." He said, "Your sins have prevented you."
 
 
6. Excessive Remembrance of Allah
 

Whilst in I'tikaf we should spend as much time as possible in the remembrance of Allah, keeping our lips moist in his glorification & praises. Surely we will have utter regret in the hereafter for each second wasted without remembering Allah:
 
Mu`adh Ibn Jabal (Ra) said that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The People of Paradise will not regret anything except one thing alone: the hour that passed them by in which they made no remembrance of Allah." Narrated Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman (1:392 #512-513)
 
The highest rank in Jannah are for those who remembered Allah the most:
 
Abu Sa`id (Ra) narrates the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked, "Which of the servants of Allah is best in rank before Allah on the Day of resurrection?" He said: "The ones who remember him much."I said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about the fighter in the way of Allah?" He answered: "Even if he strikes the unbelievers & Mushrikin with his sword until it broke, & becomes red with their blood, truly those who do Dhikr are better than him in rank." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, & Bayhaqi)
 
Therefore we should remember Allah as much as we can & glorify him night & day, not just in Ramadan or in I'tikaf but until our very last breath. What better time to start remembering Allah more than during I'tikaf when we can sit in seclusion remembering Allah:
 
 
The following are 12 Dhikr, supported by Hadith that we can recite throughout the duration of I'tikaf:
 
 
Note: We should try & aim to recite each of these 10 Dhikr a 100 times each which makes a total of 1000 a day minimum.
 
1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee - Recite this abundantly during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
 
2. Subhaanallah
 
3. Alhamdulillah
 
4. Allahu Akbar
 
5. Laa ilaaha illallah
 
6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH-HIL ALIYYIL ADHEEM
 
7. Asthaghfirullah-halladhee Laa ilaaha illa-huwal Hayyul Qayyuumu Wa athoobu Ilay
 
Or short version: Asthaghfirullah
 
8. SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI ADADA HALQIHEE, WA RIDA'A NAFSIHEE WA ZINATA ARSHIHEE WA MIDADA KALIMATHIH

9. SUBHANALLAHI WABIHAMDIHEE SUB-HAAN'ALLAH-IL ADHEEM
 
Or short version: SUB-HAAN'ALLAAHi WA BI-HAM'DIHI
 
10. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm
 
11. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā kulli Shay-in qadīr
 
Or the shortened version:
 
Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa �alaa kulli shay-in qadeer
 
12. Radeetu billahi Rabban Wa bil Islami deenan Wabi Muhammadin Nabiyyan
 
We should also recite much of durood e Ibrahim which is the durood that is recited towards the end of Salaah.
 
Or the shortest durood is: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim
 
 
7. Making Excessive Dua & Repentance
 
 
What better opportunity to repent & make long & sincere Dua's to Allah than whilst devoting oneself to Allah in his house.
 
Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an:
 
"When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186]
 
The place of Dua is so high in front of Allah, that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim) has said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than Dua." [Sahih al-Jami` no.5268].
 
Allah loves repentance & loves those who turn to him in sincere repentance, so repent unto him sincerely as much as possible:
 
Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him> in repentance... (Qur'an 2:222)
 
Many of us rush our Dua�s & quite often our hearts are not present whilst we are making dua to Allah. That is why we lose out on much of the benefits & blessings of Dua. Therefore we should not let our minds wonder whilst in Dua & we should concentrate more, making sure our hearts are present whilst asking of Allah. Whilst we are in dua we should imagine Almighty Allah in front of us & so we should humble ourselves in front of him in a state of meekness & humility.
 
It may also help if we made a list of what we want to ask Allah during our dua�s. We can then refer to this list as a reminder so that we can cover everything we need to ask him, which may help in making our Dua�s longer & more sincere. This is because we will not always remember everything we want to ask Allah unless we note it down & refer back to it when we need to.
 
The times when Dua's are most accepted during I'thikaf are:
 
1. The third portion of the night shortly before sehri ends. 2. Whilst fasting. 3. Between Asr & Maghrib. 4. Just before fast opens. 5. On Jumma before & after khutba. 6. Between Adhan & Iqamah. 7. After Qur'an recitation. 8. The Night of Qadr
 
Let us not be of those who pass by Ramadan without gaining any forgiveness:
 
Rasullullah (sallahu� �alaihi wasallam) said: ...the angel Jibra�il appeared before me & said: Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan & let it pass by without gaining forgiveness...� Upon that I said: �Amin.� (Al-Bukhari, Al-Tabrani)
 
We should ask of Allah whilst in I'tikaf to accept all of our good deeds & efforts throughout Ramadan & be hopeful that Allah will accept it from us. We should also have FULL hope that Allah will accept our Dua�s if not in this world then in the hereafter. We should accept his decree for he knows best in all matters.
 
 
 
8. Practising the Sunnah
 
 
 
Following the Sunnah is a command from Allah:
 
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran & the Sunnah), Allah will love you & forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran: 3:31)
 
Almighty Allah says: �There certainly is an excellent example in Allah's messenger for he who fears Allah & the last day & remembers Allah abundantly� (al-Ahzaab 21)
 
By following the Sunnah in every aspect of our daily lives, everything we do will become worship, even going to the toilet, having a bath, dressing & undressing etc.
 
Annas (RA) reports Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised, �Whoever cherishes my Sunnah, indeed he cherishes me & whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.� (Tirmidhi: 2678: Ibid)
 
We should practise & implement the Sunnah throughout the duration of I'tikaf like for e.g. the Sunnah's of awakening, using Miswak, of eating, drinking, going to the toilet, before sleeping etc. Then EVERYTHING we do whilst in I'tikaf will become worship & reward. Doing voluntary good deeds in Ramadan carrys the reward of FARD! Subhanallah!
 
Reviving the Sunnah:
 
Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: �Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.� (Tirmidhi)
 
 
The following free E book contains complete daily Sunnah's & dua's from waking up in the morning until going to sleep at night:
 
Download Beautiful Daily Sunnah's
 
http://www.slideshare.net/kingabid/beautiful-sunnahs-of-rasulallah-saw-to-do-everyday
 

 
9. Refraining from sin & idle talk
 
 
 
Women sitting in I'tikaf must take extra care & attention to ensure that they refrain from committing any sins. That includes guarding the ears, eyes, tongue, privates & heart, thus deriving the maximum benefit from I�tikaf & attaining a special closeness to Allah & an increase & strengthening of imaan (faith).
 
The mu�takif (person sitting I'tikaf) should remember that they are the guest of Almighty Allah so therefore they should be extremely vigilant of their behaviour.
 
They must also avoid getting into idle discussions, debates & arguments which will be of no benefit but cause more harm than good.
 
Remember: Time will go quick & if we waste our precious time during I'tikaf then surely we will regret it forever. So let us use this valuable time wisely as this may be our last I'tikaf so let us treat it like our very last.
 
 
 
10. Avoiding over eating & sleeping
 
 
 
Excessive eating & sleeping during I'tikaf is a major factor in stopping a person from maximizing their I'tikaf.
 
Ibrahim al-Nakha�i (RA), one of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) mentioned: �The people ruined before you were done in by three characteristics: too much talking, too much eating, & too much sleeping.�
 
Ash-Shafi�I (RA) said: I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep & makes one weak for worship.
 
It used to be said: Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.
 
So a person must ensure that they do NOT over eat or over sleep during I'tikaf. Doing so will make a person feel heavy,tired & lazy resulting in that person not being as productive as they should be during I'tikaf.
 
Remember: Set yourself limits & stick to them. Stay focused on your main goals & purpose for sitting in I'tikaf & what you hope to achieve out of it.
 
 
 
11. Not leaving designated place of I'tikaf unless necessary
 
 
 
It is not permitted for a woman to leave the designated place of I'tikaf unless:
 
1. To answer the call of nature.
2. To pass wind.
3. To make Wudhu.
4. To take an obligatory bath.
   
However if a woman is performing Nawafil (voluntary) I'tikaf then she may come and leave her designated place of I'tikaf as she pleases.
 
12. Searching for the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr)
 
 
So valuable is the Night of Qadr (Power) that the Quran devotes a special surah to it: �Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months� [97:3]
 
This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29. It may also occur on any of the even nights.
 
Therefore we should strive to stay up & worship on all of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. If we can't do that then we should at least worship the odd numbered nights of the last ten days. If we still can't manage that then let us pray on whatever nights we can, minimum on the 27th night.
 
There is NO doubt that if we pray on all of the last ten nights of Ramadan then we will catch this auspicious night & gain the rewards of over 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP! Subhaanallah! Most do not live upto such an age!
 
The following dua should be recited as much as possible during the last 10 nights of Ramadan:
 
Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said Say:
 
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee
 
Trans: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning & You love to pardon, so pardon me.' " (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, & Tirmidhi).
 
 
May Allah enable us to make the best of the last ten days & nights of Ramadan. May Allah enable us to find the night of power & may he accept our I'tikaf & make it a salvation for us on the day of judgement. Ameen