Question
Is there Sunnah significance to undertake journeys to sit in I’tikaaf in Musjiul Aqsa? Many people nowadays are going there for I’tikaaf. A brother told me that the Israelis detain holidaymakers and ask stupid questions. Among these are: Why do you want to come here during war time? What do you think of the war? What do you think of the October 7 attacks? What do you think of Hamas? Etc., etc. Those Muslims who pass through Israeli security successfully have to sing the tune of the Yahood. They have to tell the shaytaans what they want to hear or face deportation and/or detention. Now for gaining admission to Aqsa, these Muslims have to bootlick the Israelis. Minus bootlicking, they will not be allowed to enter. Even if some are not asked these questions, is there any Deeni merit in going to Musjidul Aqsa at this time?
Answer
There is absolutely no Sunnah significance in travelling to Musjidul Aqsa for I’tikaaf. The Shariah instructs I’tikaaf in neighbourhood Musaajid. It is not a teaching of the Shariah to undertake a journey to Musjidul Aqsa for the purposes of I’ikaaf. Most, if not all, people who travel to Musjidul Aqsa to observe their mock ‘I’tikaaf are in reality scoundrels – fussaaq and fujjaar. The underlying motivation is nafsaani gratification – pride and show. They have plenty haraam and mushtabah money to give expression to the lusts of their nafs.
Once a man came to Hadhrat Bishr Haafi (Rahmatullah alayh) – the famous Wali of the Tasabi-ee era – seeking advice regarding his planned Nafl Hajj journey. He mentioned that he had saved 200 dinars for the trip. Hadhrat Bishr (Rahmatullah alayh) asked the reason for his desire to go for Hajj. The man said that it was for thawaab (reward). Hadhrat Bishr said: “I shall inform you of a way of gaining the thawaab of two hundred Hajj.”
He advised the man to give the 200 dinras to ten, Fuqara, ten widows, ten orphans, etc. He will then receive the reward of 200 Hajj. But, like these holidaymakers going for mock ziyaarat and mock i’tikaaf, he said t
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