I'tikaf in the viewpoint of Islamic Oulama

in this regard, it should be mentioned the importance of i'tikaf in the viewpoint of Islamic Oulama

The messages of Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Muslims of the world, during the days of I'tikaf

Ayatollah Khamenei Islamic leader (sermon, 2006-2008-2011).

Youth from different social backgrounds and with different appearances had participated in this year's Ehya [keeping vigil] ceremonies -- which were held during the month of Ramadan -- and in different ceremonies for dua and supplication. If a shallow person would see one of the boys or girls in, let us say certain unusual clothes, he would assume that they do not know God. -- But this is not the case. The hearts of our youth seek the truth. Their hearts are pure and enlightened. I do not remember at all, of the past years -- during my youth or teenage years -- if the people ever went to mosques, in the entire country, or Goharshad Mosque in order to participate in I'tikaf ceremonies of Ramadan. During Ayam ul-Beiz [white days], three days in the months of Rajab and Sha'ban, we used to see few people in Qom who engaged in i'tikaf and these people were clerics. It was not common for other people to do so. Today, during I'tikaf days, universities, mosques throughout the entire country, and Jameh mosques are full of people who engage in I'tikaf. What kind of people participate? Older men? Older women? No, the youth and the younger people participate. This is an unprecedented event throughout the world. This is our young generation today. Today, the majority of the people in our society are oriented towards religion and revolutionary values.

Nov 12, 2006

Today is the 13th of Rajab, a day for I'tikaf [that is, worship in seclusion]. As you know, today thousands of our youth have gone to different mosques across the country and have engaged in i'tikaf. They are now talking to God and have engaged in supplication in this hot weather while they are fasting, and while their lips are parched, and they are hungry. This is very valuable. Our nation must appreciate this i'tikaf. Now I would like to give a piece of advice to the officials in charge of i'tikaf affairs... In i'tikaf, the youth have in fact decided to talk to God in private. For the most part, i'tikaf is a solitary activity in which one forms a relationship with God. The group activities of these centers must not undermine the participants' state of solitude and emotional relationship with God. They must give the youth the opportunity to read the Quran, Nahj al-Balagha, and Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya.

I particularly recommend Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya for these days. This Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is indeed marvellous. Fortunately, it has been translated into Farsi now, and there are some translated versions available. Last year, I received a good translation of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. I perused it: it was excellent. The youth are well-advised to read and benefit from the teachings included in the prayers by Imam Ali Ibn Hussain (a.s.) that are preserved in Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. They must reflect upon the text. These are not just prayers. They are lessons that we can learn from. These words by Imam Sajjad (a.s.) -- and all the prayers that have been handed down from the Imams (a.s.) -- are full of Islamic teachings.

So it is Rajab now, the month of praying, turning back to God and supplication. It is the month of becoming similar to the Commander of the Faithful. Let us strengthen our relationship with God so that we can go through the various stages of life with strong determination, steadfastness, and awareness. In order for a nation to gain honor and glory, it must have a strong will, know what it wants, and be confident due to remembrance of God.

Jul 16, 2008

In my youth, on certain days of the month of Rajab, during which i'tikaf ceremonies are traditionally held, only about 10 to 20 seminarians would take part in I'tikaf ceremonies; and this was Qom Islamic Seminary: the center of all Islamic seminaries. Itikaf was not very common at that time, and people did not know much about it. Today in different universities throughout the country, thousands of young students -- both girls and boys -- take part in I'tikaf ceremonies. They worship God for three days, and they establish a relationship with Allah the Exalted. Itikaf ceremonies are even more impressive in big mosques. These are manifestations of spirituality. Our people love spirituality, but our spirituality is accompanied by a sense of responsibility. This spirituality must not at all distance us from our great revolutionary responsibility, rather it should help us continue our revolutionary movement. Those who try to distance our society and our youth from politics by relying on piety, those who try to prevent our youth from playing an active role in the country in the name of piety, these people, are making a mistake. They are suffering from a deviation. These dimensions go hand in hand.

Jun 4, 2011

Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani:[1]

 I’tikaf is the imprisonment of oneself (imprisonment of lusts).

I’tikaf is imprisonment of lusts. We must wake up from the sleep of neglect because the truth of I'tikaaf is actually arresting the breath. We should wake up as soon as possible and remember what we have forgotten. I'tikaf is when it is complete, that Mo'takif enters the mosque and ends its connection with two points; One of those two is the holy nature of Almighty God and the other is Imam Mahdi (AS).

Ayat A... Makarem Shirazi:[2]

 "It'kaaf" is similar to the Hajj ceremony.

In the noisy world of materialism, where the attraction is towards materiality, rust settles on the heart and soul of man, a rust of neglect and distance from God, which if not removed by prayer and worship, may remove spirituality from the existence of man. Among the deeds of worship, "It'kaaf" has a special feature and in some ways, it is similar to the Hajj and Ihram ceremonies, which lead a person to directions full of spirituality.

Ayatollah Sobhani:[3]

"I'tikaf should not be limited to the month of Rajab, and magnificent I'tikaf ceremonies should be held in the months of Sha'ban and Ramadhan".

A country whose youths are transformed and their spirituality increases, they will hope for the development of this country, fortunately in Iran, the spirituality and religious aspects of the youth are protected and the widespread acceptance of the virtue of itikaf by the youth is proof of this. My advice to the dear Mo'takfin all over the country (during the I'tikaf days) is that during the I'tikaf days... they should try to separate themselves from worldly ties and engage in worship and remember this divine virtue It is popular in the country, just thanks to the blood of martyrs.