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(4) Dhikr in Isolation and Seclusion
Irshaadul-Mulook states, “The Khalwat Khana (the place of solitude)
should be such a small cubicle wherein one may sit cross-legged
at the time of Dhikr and stand erect for Salaat. It should be dark
inside, not allowing penetrating sunlight and light of the day.” 371
This “Khalwat Khana” is similar to the extreme punishment
reserved only for hardened criminals at prisons whereby they are
put in a dungeon secluded from the other prisoners without
sunlight or fresh air. Such self-imposed punishments have not
been prescribed by Allah and His Messenger . “Allah intends
for you ease and He does not want to make things difficult for
you.” 372
It should be noted here that the Khilwah is a Sufi practice on its
own and is in no way related to the Itikaf in the Masjid. Itikaf
involves seclusion from worldly desires, avoiding vain talk and
devoting one’s time purely to worship Allah. It has no likeness to
the Sufi’s practice of seclusion in a claustrophobic room with no
sunlight or fresh air. Itikaf in the Masjids is not done with the
extremist belief of abandoning the society because unlike Sufism,
Islam teaches the middle course between associating with the
people in order to benefit them and avoiding the wastage of time
in vain talk and frivolities. As Ibn Aun, said: “There are three
things that I love for myself and for my brothers (in Islam and one
of them is)... That they should leave the people except when
intending to do good (for them).” 373
The Messenger of Allah said: “The believer (Mu’min) who
mixes with people and remains patient on their harms is better
than the believer (Mu’min) who does not mix with people nor
does he remain patient on their harms.” 374
371 Irshaadul-Mulook (Eng. Trans.) p.69.
372 Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 185.
373 Saheeh al-Bukharee, vol.9, chapter.2, p.282.
374 (Saheeh) Narrated by Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhee.
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