Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of dedicated faithful Muslims will start observing “Aitekaf” from Sunday afternoon (20th of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak) at specified and secluded corners of mosques for seeking forgiveness of Almighty Allah by abandoning their routine business for ten days. “Aitekaf” is a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace

Be Upon Him), in which a faithful must confine himself at a secluded corner of a mosque or home, till sighting of the Eid-ul-Fitr moon. The sole purpose should be to worship Allah and seek pardon.

“Aitekaf” carries a multitude of blessings of Allah Almighty. Men observe “Aitekaf” in small cubicles, set up by hanging large cloth sheets inside mosques, whereas women observe it at any corner or quiet place in the house which is not frequently visited by others.

Hundreds of worshippers will remain stationed at mosques for 10 consecutive days in connection with performing this religious duty.

Mosques in the federal capital and Rawalpindi allocate places to the worshippers on a first-come- first-serve basis because of an ever-increasing number of those wanting to observe “Aitekaf”.

The registration process has already been completed at the mosques of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Philanthropists and common citizens send food items for Sehri and Iftar to the mosques during Ramadan. This year, the management of Faisal Mosque has registered over 800 faithful peoplefor observing “Aitekaf” at its premises.

Meanwhile, the Dawah Academy hasfinalised special arrangements for imparting education about religious problems.

Special lectures of religious scholars have also been arranged for the “Aitekaf” observers at Faisal Mosque.

The Dawah Academy has also arranged a “Mahafil-i-Shabeena (Qiyam ul Lail)” at Faisal Mosque which will commence on Sunday, the 21st night of Ramadan.

The “Mahafil”, which will start at 12 am and end at 2am every night,will continue till the 29th of Ramadan. On the the first day of the “Mahafil-e Shabeena”, the former Imam of Kaaba, Al-Shaikh Muhammad Saleh Abu Majid, will recite the Holy Quran, said a press release.