A number of hadiths have been reported that assert the importance of spiritual retreat. We mention some of them below:

1. 'Abd Allah b. 'Abbas (Radiya-Llahu 'anhuma) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said about al-mu'takif,
‘He avoids sins and is granted his rewards generously like a practical worker of righteous deeds.’

2. According to another hadith narrated by 'Abd Allah b. 'Abbas (Radiya-Llahu 'anhuma), the holy Prophet (pbuh) said:

مَنِ اعْتَكَفَ يَوْمًا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللهِ سبحانہ وتعالیٰ، جَعَلَ اللهُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النَّارِ ثَلَاثَ خَنَادِقَ، كُلُّ خَنْدَقٍ أَبْعَدُ مِمَّا بَيْنَ الْخَافِقَيْنِ.

‘Whoever performs a one day seclution for the sake of Allah’s good pleasure, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) will make three trenches between him and Hell; each trench is longer than the distance between the East and the West.’

3. Imam 'Ali Zayn al-'Abidin b. Husayn narrates that his father Imam Husayn (Alayhis-salam) told him that the Prophet (pbuh) had said:

مَنِ اعْتَكَفَ عَشْراً فِي رَمَضَانَ، كَانَ كَحَجَّتَيْنِ وَعُمْرَتَيْنِ.

‘Whoever performs spiritual retreat for ten days in Ramadan, its reward is like that of two pilgrimages and two minor pilgrimages.’