Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan and once he stayed in I`tikaf till the night of the twenty-first and it was the night in the morning of which he used to come out of his I`tikaf. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever was in I`tikaf with me should stay in I`tikaf for the last ten days, for I was informed (of the date) of the Night (of Qadr) but I have been caused to forget it. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water in the morning of that night. So, look for it in the last ten nights and in the odd ones of them." It rained that night and the roof of the mosque dribbled as it was made of leaf stalks of date-palms. I saw with my own eyes the mark of mud and water on the forehead of the Prophet (i.e. in the morning of the twenty-first).
Retiring to a Mosque for Remembrance of Allah (I'tikaf)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 2027
The Excellence of I'tikaf in Ramadan
I'tikaf is a spiritual retreat in the mosque for devotion and remembrance of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized its practice particularly during Ramadan, seeking the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), which is better than a thousand months.
Timing and Duration of I'tikaf
The Prophet (ﷺ) initially observed I'tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadan. However, after receiving divine instruction, he shifted to the last ten days, recognizing the greater likelihood of Laylat al-Qadr occurring therein. His practice demonstrates the flexibility in religious observance based on renewed guidance.
The Search for Laylat al-Qadr
The Prophet (ﷺ) was informed of the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr but was later caused to forget it. This teaches humility and encourages persistent worship throughout the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered ones (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th). His dream of prostrating in mud and water symbolized the blessedness and spiritual purity of that night.
Divine Confirmation Through Natural Signs
The rainfall and the mosque's leaky roof, made of date-palm stalks, led to the fulfillment of the Prophet's vision. The mud and water on his forehead the next morning served as a tangible sign from Allah, confirming the authenticity of his dream and the blessedness of that specific night.
Scholarly Reflections
This hadith underscores the importance of I'tikaf as a means of drawing closer to Allah. It highlights the superiority of the last ten nights of Ramadan and encourages believers to intensify worship during this period. The Prophet's example shows that spiritual practices can be adapted based on divine revelation, and natural events can serve as confirmations of spiritual truths.