What is the validity of this statement: "I intend to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) until Allah grants me permission"?
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Question:
A questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, I saw a man say that when he entered the mosque, he intended to perform i'tikaf until Allah grants him permission. What is the validity of this statement? It is known that this was not in the month of Ramadan.
Answer:
I'tikaf in the mosque, which is staying in it for the worship of Allah, is a required and prescribed matter, and it is an act of worship in Ramadan and in other months. I'tikaf in the mosques in Ramadan or in other months is prescribed throughout the year, but it is better in Ramadan. As for the intention, a person does not verbalize it in all his deeds. Allah knows what is in the hearts without you verbalizing it. Verbalizing the intention has not been reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He said (peace and blessings be upon him) and it has not been reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he verbalized the intention and said, "I intend" or "I am intending" such and such; because Allah knows your intention even if you do not verbalize it. Yes.
A questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, I saw a man say that when he entered the mosque, he intended to perform i'tikaf until Allah grants him permission. What is the validity of this statement? It is known that this was not in the month of Ramadan.
Answer:
I'tikaf in the mosque, which is staying in it for the worship of Allah, is a required and prescribed matter, and it is an act of worship in Ramadan and in other months. I'tikaf in the mosques in Ramadan or in other months is prescribed throughout the year, but it is better in Ramadan. As for the intention, a person does not verbalize it in all his deeds. Allah knows what is in the hearts without you verbalizing it. Verbalizing the intention has not been reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He said (peace and blessings be upon him)
Whoever does a deed for which there is no command from us, it is rejected. In another narration: Whoever introduces into our matter something that is not part of it, it is rejected.
من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد، في رواية من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد،
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما صحة هذا القول نويت أن أعتكف إلى أن يأذن الله لي؟ للشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.