multiplied. So, observing entire month of Ramadan or last 10 days I’tikaf is also a great source of refraining ourselves from sins, acquiring more and more knowledge and it is a month of multiplying virtuous deeds. You can get the gist of the excellence of I’tikaf through this blessed Hadees: Mother of the believers, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has narrated the following blessed and fragrant saying of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:

مَنِ اعۡتَكَفَ اِيۡمَانًا وَّ اِحۡتِسَابًا غُفِرَلَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنۡ ذَنۡبِهٖ

Translation: Whoever performed I’tikaf with Iman [faith] with the intention of earning reward, all of his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Jami’-us-Sagheer, pp. 516, Hadees 8480)

Dear Islamic brothers! If possible, observe I’tikaf of the entire month of Ramadan every year, or at least once in the lifetime.

The Beloved and Blessed Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would always remain determined to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would worship abundantly especially in Ramadan. As Layla-tul-Qadr is hidden in           the month of Ramadan, so the Rasool of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once performed I’tikaf for the entire blessed month in order to search for this blessed night.

Staying in the Masjid is a great blessing anyhow, a Mu’takif is so fortunate that he stays in the Masjid leaving all his activities in order to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri states: The virtues of I’tikaf are obvious. When a person does I’tikaf, he completely devotes himself to worship Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for His pleasure, giving up all worldly affairs and activities that obstruct him in earning the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. All of his time is spent in Salah, either physically or spiritually (because waiting for Salah also holds the same reward as of offering Salah). The primary purpose of performing I’tikaf is to wait for Salah with Jama’at. A Mu’takif resembles the angels who do not disobey Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and obey His every command, he resembles those who glorify Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ day and night and never get tired of doing so. (Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri, vol. 1, pp. 212)