ISLAMABAD: Thousands of devotees of Islam have begun the spiritual journey of I’tikaf after the Asr prayer today, as the second Ashara of Ramadan ends.
I’tikaf is an Arabic word, which means to stop or to restrain oneself; thus, in the terminology of Sharia, staying in a mosque for worship in the last ten days of Ramadan is called I’tikaf.
Thousands of Muslims are sitting in I’tikaf after the Asr prayer in millions of mosques in the country, including Karachi, while the data of those sitting in I’tikaf has also been collected in many mosques.
Special arrangements are also made by the administration of some mosques and benefactors to provide Sehri and Iftar for those sitting in I’tikaf, while usually the responsibility of Sehri and Iftar for those in I’tikaf falls on their families.
On the odd nights of the last ten days, Muslims will offer their needs and prayers while praying before Allah all night, while those in I’tikaf will also arrange for special worship tonight.
Special arrangements have also been made for those observing I’tikaf in mosques under the auspices of the Awqaf Department.
Those observing I’tikaf will stay in the mosques until the Shawwal moon is sighted.
Itikaf in Haramain Sharifain
Itikaf in Haramain Sharifain has started with the arrival of the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan. Thousands of registered worshippers have already begun their spiritual retreat in the two holy mosques of Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, the formal start of Itikaf in Haramain Sharifain began on the 20th fast of Ramadan. More than 15,000 people had completed their registration earlier to take part in this important act of worship.
Special prayer activities are now taking place at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Worshippers observing Itikaf are spending most of their time in prayers, Quran recitation, and remembrance of Allah.
Many pilgrims and Umrah visitors are also present in the two holy mosques. They are focusing on increased worship while searching for Laylat al-Qadr, the most blessed night of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, a large number of visitors have been seen in the Haramain Sharifain in recent days. This increase also comes after several international flights in the Middle East were cancelled due to regional tensions, which affected travel plans for many pilgrims.
Despite the travel disruptions, the atmosphere in the holy mosques remains deeply spiritual. Worshippers continue their prayers with the hope of gaining blessings during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
