Sabeel Muslim Youth Center is pleased to announce that it will be hosting Itikaf at Sabeel this year during the last ten nights of Ramadan, starting from Tuesday, April 11th.
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims around the world prepare themselves for a month-long spiritual journey of self-reflection, self-discipline, and devotion to Allah. One of the most important and spiritually rewarding practices during Ramadan is Itikaf.
Itikaf is a spiritual retreat that Muslims observe during the last ten nights of Ramadan, wherein they devote themselves entirely to worship and remembrance of Allah. The word “Itikaf” is derived from the Arabic word ‘i’takafa’, which means to seclude oneself in a specific place for a particular purpose.
During Itikaf, a Muslim secludes himself or herself in a mosque or a designated place of worship and remains there for the entire duration of the retreat, which typically lasts for ten days. The purpose of Itikaf is to detach oneself from worldly distractions and focus solely on one’s relationship with Allah.
The last ten nights of Ramadan are considered the most blessed and spiritually rewarding, and Itikaf during these nights is highly recommended. In fact, it is believed that the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), which is better than a thousand months, falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan. Therefore, observing Itikaf during this time can result in immense spiritual rewards and blessings.
During Itikaf, the Muslim secludes themselves in a mosque or a designated place of worship and spends their time in prayer, recitation of the Quran, supplication, and remembrance of Allah. They also abstain from any worldly distractions, including socializing, engaging in idle talk, or using electronic devices. This seclusion provides an opportunity to focus entirely on their relationship with Allah and to deepen their connection with Him.
It is worth noting that Itikaf is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for those who have the means and opportunity to do so. The practice of Itikaf has been passed down from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who used to observe Itikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan every year.
In conclusion, Itikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan is a spiritually rewarding practice that provides an opportunity for Muslims to deepen their connection with Allah and detach themselves from worldly distractions. It is a time for self-reflection, self-discipline, and devotion to Allah. May Allah enable us to observe Itikaf and make the most of the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan.