13/40. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1167b — Remain in the Place of I'tikaf
The virtue of Lailat Al-Qadr and the Exhortation to seek it; When it is and the most likely times to seek it
Remain Firm in I'tikaf During Ramadan
Sahih Muslim : 1167b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1167b
وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، - يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ - عَنْ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُجَاوِرُ فِي رَمَضَانَ الْعَشْرَ الَّتِي فِي وَسَطِ الشَّهْرِ . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ بِمِثْلِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " فَلْيَثْبُتْ فِي مُعْتَكَفِهِ " . وَقَالَ وَجَبِينُهُ مُمْتَلِئًا طِينًا وَمَاءً .
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) devoted (himself to prayer) in the middle (ten nights) of Ramadan. The rest of the hadith is the same except for these words: " That he adhered to his place of i'tikaf and his forehead was besmeared with mud and water."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1167bIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 276USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2626
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1167b
This narration supports the same report about the Prophet's i'tikaf in the middle ten nights of Ramadan and the search for Laylatul Qadr. Its special wording highlights that the person observing i'tikaf should remain in his place of i'tikaf. It also mentions the Prophet's forehead being covered with mud and water, matching the sign described in the longer narration. The main lesson is simple: i'tikaf is not casual time in the mosque. It is a focused stay for devotion. The hadith also keeps the search for Laylatul Qadr connected to the last ten nights. It encourages steady presence, patience, and attention during worship, without adding any date beyond what the narration itself indicates.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person in i'tikaf should remain committed to the place of devotion.
- The report connects i'tikaf with the serious search for Laylatul Qadr.
- The trace of mud and water supports the described sign in the narration.
