BENEFITS:

This great Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is so replete with spiritual benefits that a brief treatise like this can never do justice to enumerating them. Perhaps the greatest and the actual motivation behind it is the search for Laylatul Qadr. In I'tikaaf, even one's sleeping is regarded as Ibaadat, hence making it so much easier to gain the benefits of the blessed night. Furthermore one gains the opportunity of emulating Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) concerning whom Hazrath Aisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) reports: "When the last ten Nights of Ramadhaan would come, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would spend the whole night in Ibaadat. He would exert himself tremendously and even wake up his family members." (Bukhari, Muslim). She even reports that he would never exert himself in worship at any other time like he did on this occasion (Muslim).

BEAUTY OF I'TIKAAF:

The example of the one who resides in the Masjid in I'tikaaf is like a person, who having gone to certain place for something remains there until it is granted. Allamah Ibn Qaiyyim (R.A.) writes that the actual aim of I'tikaaf is to divert the heart from everything except Allah and to join it with Allah alone, thereby forming a complete spiritual connection with Him. In essence all love and desire becomes centred around Allah alone, one's only true Helper and Protector.

VIRTUE OF I'TIKAAF:

One cannot possibly imagine the tremendous virtue and reward promised for I'tikaaf. Just to mention a few Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "Whomsoever performs I'tikaaf for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will open three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each being the distance between heaven and earth." (Tabraani). It is also reported:
"Whoever performs I'tikaaf for the final ten days of Ramadhaan, for him is the reward of two Hajj and two Umrahs." (Kashful Ghumma).

When Allah Ta'ala is prepared to grant us so much in return for a little sacrifice on our part, then it will surely be a great loss if we fail to avail ourselves of the opportunity. May Allah Ta'ala give us the Taufeeq to practice. Aameen

Article taken (with Thanks) from Jamiat KZN