3:12 You should not be the…15:52 So try, even if you…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Mar 12, 2026.

I'tikaf calls for focused worship and fewer distractions

London Muslim Mosque

“You should not be the same person that you are in i'tikaf before and after.”

The khateeb, at 3:12

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

I'tikaf is a voluntary Ramadan sunnah whose purpose is wholehearted mosque-based devotion, requiring fewer distractions and more Qur'an, prayer, remembrance, and supplication.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Explains the Prophet's practice of concentrating i'tikaf in Ramadan's last ten nights to seek Laylatul Qadr.
  2. Argues that the absence of a fixed reward indicates an unrestricted reward shaped by intention and spiritual transformation.
  3. Defines i'tikaf as remaining in a mosque for worship and discusses duration, eligible mosques, and intention.
  4. Clarifies rules for leaving the mosque, family visits, work, school, illness, janazah, and renewing intention.
  5. Recommends increasing Qur'an, salah, dhikr, and dua while reducing movement, talking, eating, sleeping, business, and social media.
  6. Answers practical questions about mosque boundaries, study circles, food, and prioritizing Qur'an before closing with supplication.
Try this week
Try observing i'tikaf for at least one day and night.
Choose a quiet mosque spot and limit unnecessary movement and exits.
Increase Qur'an, nighttime salah, dhikr, and dua; set specific memorization or recitation targets.
Reduce talking, phone use, social media, business, schoolwork, excessive eating, and unnecessary sleep.
Arrange family, work, and school responsibilities beforehand, and state necessary conditions at the beginning.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You should not be the same person that you are in i'tikaf before and after.”
London Muslim Mosque · London, ON
Play from 3:12
“So try, even if you have a business, try to pass it to somebody else.”
London Muslim Mosque · London, ON
Play from 15:52
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

I'tikaf is a special time in Ramadan when a person stays in the mosque mainly to worship Allah. The khateeb explained that it should bring more Qur'an, prayer, remembrance, and dua, with fewer distractions from phones, work, talking, and unnecessary movement. Even though the reward is not given a fixed number, the opportunity is described as immense and dependent on sincere intention. Families can support someone observing i'tikaf by helping them arrange responsibilities and giving them space to focus.

  1. What change would you hope to see in yourself after i'tikaf?
  2. Which worship goal would you choose for one night in the mosque?
  3. How can we help someone focus by reducing distractions?
Where it was given

The masjid

London Muslim Mosque151 Oxford St W, London, ON N6H 1S3Jumu'ah First prayer 12:00 PM · second prayer 1:15 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at London Muslim Mosque193 khutbahs
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