8/18. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 709 — I'tikaf in Masjid
Pitching A Khiba' (Tent Made Of Wool) [1] In the Masjid
Hadith About I'tikaf in Ramadan and Shawwal
Sunan an-Nasai : 709
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 709
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعْتَكِفَ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فِي الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَعْتَكِفَ فِيهِ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَعْتَكِفَ الْعَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَأَمَرَ فَضُرِبَ لَهُ خِبَاءٌ وَأَمَرَتْ حَفْصَةُ فَضُرِبَ لَهَا خِبَاءٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْ زَيْنَبُ خِبَاءَهَا أَمَرَتْ فَضُرِبَ لَهَا خِبَاءٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " آلْبِرَّ تُرِدْنَ " . فَلَمْ يَعْتَكِفْ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَاعْتَكَفَ عَشْرًا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ .
A'isha Narrated from:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wanted to observe I'tikaf, [2] he would pray Fajr then enter the place where he wanted to observe I'tikaf. He wanted to observe I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, so he commanded that a Khiba' (tent) be pitched for him. Then Hafsah ordered that a Khiba' be pitched for her, and when Zainab saw her tent she ordered that a Khiba' be pitched for her too. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw that he said: 'Is it righteousness that you seek?' And he did not observe I'tikaf in Ramadan, and observed I'tikaf for ten days in Shawwal (instead). [1] Al-Khiba': "One of the house of the Bedouins made of Wabir (camel or goat fur) or wool, not of hair (from other pelts). And it would have two or three posts." (An-Nihayah) [2] Seclusion in the Masjid for the sake of devotion to Allah.
[1] Al-Khibâ’ : "One of the house of the Bedouins made of Wabir (camel or goat fur) or wool, not of hair (from other pelts). And it would have two or three posts." ( An-Nihâyah )[2] Seclusion in the Masjid for the sake of devotion to Allāh.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 709In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 22English translation : Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 710
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 709
This hadith about I'tikaf explains a specific event narrated by Aishah. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم wanted to observe I'tikaf, he would pray Fajr and then enter the place where he wanted to stay in devotion. He intended I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, and a tent was pitched for him. Then Hafsah had a tent pitched, and Zainab did the same. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saw this, he asked, “Is it righteousness that you seek?” He did not observe I'tikaf in Ramadan that time, and instead observed ten days in Shawwal. The wording keeps the focus on sincere devotion, order, and timing.
What we learn from this hadith
- I'tikaf is shown as seclusion in the Masjid for devotion to Allah.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم entered his I'tikaf place after praying Fajr in this report.
- Outward acts should be connected to real righteousness.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made up ten days in Shawwal after leaving that Ramadan I'tikaf.
