Itikaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan

Itikaaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan
BY MJ MOHAMMED IQBAL
I'tikaaf, a form of religious worship, is observed in the last ten days of Ramadan by the pious believers of Muslim world. What is I'tikaff ? It means staying in the mosque for the purpose of worship of Almighty, thinking of His universe, creatures, more on reading Holy Qur'an towards achieving knowledge and wisdom.
Technically it signifies total seclusion from the duties of the materialistic world and staying in the mosque for the whole time towards Divine service during the last ten days of Ramadan. A person who secludes himself for devotion and prayer, gives up his all comforts and recreations to seek the pleasure of Almighty. It is certainly an act of service with excellent rewards. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to retire into the Mosque for total seclusion during the last ten days of Ramadan.
One of the companions Ibn Abbas reported that regarding a person in seclusion, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: "He who isolates himself from sins, good deeds bring reward for him like those who perform all the good deeds".
Further he reported, "Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was the most generous of men with regard to wealth and he was as generous as possible in Ramadan. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) would recite the Holy Qur'an to him. When Gabriel met him he was more generous than the wind which blows freely."
Just as fasting is a shield which protects the heart from the influences of physical distractions such as excessive indulgence in food, drink and sex, so I'tikaaf offers an immense hidden benefit, which is protection from the effects of excessive socialising. For people may take socialising to extremes, until it has a similar effect on a person to the effects of over-eating, as the poet said: "Your enemy was once your friend, so do not have too many companions" I'tikaaf also offers protection from the evil consequences of talking too much, because a person usually does I'tikaaf on his own, turning to Allaah by praying Qiyaam al-Layl (Night Prayers), reading Quran, making Dhikr, reciting du'aa', and so on.
It also offers protection from sleeping too much, because when a person makes I'tikaaf in the mosque, he devotes his time to drawing closer to Allaah by doing different kinds of acts of worship; he does not stay in the mosque to sleep.
Other benefits
The person in I'tikaaf has committed himself to staying in the mosque for a specific time period. Human nature may not readily accept such restrictions at the beginning of the I'tikaaf, but usually this attitude quickly disappears because of the peace of mind that the soul develops from staying in the House of Almighty.

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