الحسن

"They must not approach their wife, neither by night nor by day, while they are in i'tikaf."

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who engages in sexual relation with his wife in ‘Itikaf. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must not go to his wife in ‘Itikaf in the day or night while he is in ‘Itikaf.’”

"I'tikaf cannot be for less than three days. Whoever performs i'tikaf must fast, and it is appropriate for the one performing i'tikaf to make a stipulation, just as one who enters into ihram (for pilgrimage) makes a stipulation."

"I asked Abu Ja'far (as) about the ruling on an individual performing i'tikaf who engages in sexual relations. Imam (as) said: 'If they do so, they incur the same penalty as one who has taken a vow of zihar (atonement).'" It has also been narrated: "If they engage in sexual relations during the night, they must pay one expiation. However, if they engage in sexual relations during the day, they must pay two expiations."

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing Ttikaf in a certain Masjid of Baghdad. He (the Imam) said, ’Without a Masjid in which Salat (prayer) in congregation is held behind a just Imam, Ttikaf is not valid. It is not harmful to do Ttikaf in Masjid of al-Kufah, in al- Basrah, in al-Madinah or Makkah.’”

"I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman whose husband was absent. While she was performing i'tikaf with her husband's permission, he returned, and upon hearing of his arrival, she left the mosque where she was performing i'tikaf, prepared herself for him, and engaged in intimacy with him. Imam (as) said: 'If she left the mosque before completing three days and had not stipulated any conditions for her i'tikaf, then she incurs the same penalty as that of one who has taken a vow of zihar (penalty for breaking a serious vow).'"

"I was sitting with Imam Al-Hasan ibn Ali (as) when a man came to him and said, 'O son of the Messenger of Allah (swt), so-and-so has a debt against me, and he intends to imprison me.' Imam Al-Hasan (as) said: 'By Allah (swt), I have no money to repay your debt.' The man then said: 'Could you speak to him on my behalf?' Imam Al-Hasan (as) put on his sandals. I said to Imam (as): 'O son of the Messenger of Allah (swt), have you forgotten your i'tikaf?' Imam (as) replied: 'I have not forgotten. But I heard my father (as) narrating from my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), who said: “Whoever strives to fulfill the need of his Muslim brother, it is as if he worshipped Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, for nine thousand years, fasting during the day and standing in prayer at night.”'

132. Safwan reported: I was with Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) on the Day of al-Tarwiyah when Maymun al-Qaddah visited him and complained to him about a difficulty in arranging a hire. Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said to me, 'Go and help your brother.' So, I went out with him and Allah eased his difficulty and I returned to my gathering. Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) asked me, 'What did you do in helping your Muslim brother?' 'Allah fulfilled it,' I replied. He said, 'Indeed, if you help your brother, it will be more loved by me than circumambulating around the Ka'bah for a week.' Then he continued, 'A man once came to al-Hasan ibn 'Ali (a.s) and said, 'May my father and mother be ransomed for you, O Abu Muhammad, help me with my need?' So, he put on his shoes and rose (to go) with him. They passed by Al-Husayn ibn 'Ali (a.s) who was standing in prayer. Imam al-Hasan (a.s) asked to the man, 'Why did you not ask Abu 'Abd Allah (i.e. Imam Al-Husayn) to help you?' 'I wanted,' replied the man, 'but it was said to me that he was in the state of i'tikaf.' 'Had he helped you in your need,' al-Hasan (a.s) commented, 'it would have been better for him than a whole month's i'tikaf.'

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Makkah called Maymun came in and complained to him about his difficulty paying his rent. The Imam said to me, ‘Stand up and help your brother (in belief).’ I then left with him and Allah facilitated payment for his rent and I returned to the assembly. Abu ‘Abd Allah asked, ‘What did you do for your brother (in belief)?’ I said, ‘Allah facilitated it for him, may Allah keep the souls of my parents in service for your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Your help to your Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than performing Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba for worship) around the House.’ The Imam said it on his own initiation. Then the Imam said, ‘Once a man came to al- Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) and said, “May Allah keep the souls of my parents in service for your cause, 1 need help with a certain matter.” He put on his shoes and left with him. They passed by al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) where he was standing in prayer and he (al-Hassan) asked the man, ‘Did you ask abu ‘Abd Allah for help?’ The man said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I already have done so and Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said that he was in ‘I’tikaf (a certain form of worship).’ Al-Hassan (a.s.) said, ‘Had he helped you (were he not in T’tikaf), it would have been better for him than T’tikaf for a whole month.’”