'-k-f

Description

The Arabic root ع-ك-ف ('ayn-kāf-fā') conveys the core meaning of devotion, dedication, and remaining steadfastly attached to something, particularly in a religious context of secluding oneself in a place of worship for focused devotion to God. In the Quran, this root primarily describes the spiritual practice of i'tikāf—retreating to the mosque for dedicated worship and contemplation—as well as the broader concept of devoting oneself persistently to religious practice or, negatively, to false worship. The term emphasizes both physical presence in a sacred space and the spiritual state of single-minded dedication, making it significant in establishing the Islamic practice of retreat and focused worship, especially during Ramadan.