Are you ready for I'tikaf?

As we

The last 10 days is that period you need to get more serious with one's acts of worship and going for I'tikaaf is no doubt the best way to go about this.

While many of us are yet to make up our minds, many others cannot wait to start I'tikaaf.

Someone wonders what I'tikaaf is all about.

Well, I'tikaaf is the act of worship that requires you to retire to a mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan to devote yourself exclusively to acts of worship day and night.

I'tikaf is the practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and he was said to have practised it till he died.

Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri

Allah's apostle used to practice I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to observe I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Observing I'tikaf makes one stay away from sins and attain rewards for all his good deeds. And since it is observed till the end of Ramadan, it makes us end the holy month on a good note.

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Going to I'tikaf however is not just going to sit in the mosque and stay idle or sleep all the time.

A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (SAW) kept awake at night (for prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer (with more vigour).

So, we don't go to I'tikaf to discuss politics, sports or any other worldly affairs. We go to I'tikaf solely to worship Allah.

It is few days to I'tikaf and I hope you'll join other Muslims in your community to observe it in any mosque of your choice. May Allah accept it as an act of Ibaadah. Ameen