Acquisition of Islamic knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman in Islam, whether he or she lives in a city or a village; but unfortunately, since long ago, villagers do not have the facilities of gaining knowledge (reading and writing) as compared to the people living in a city; whereas globally, most of the world population lives in the villages. This is why Sayyiduna Imam Ghazali رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said regarding imparting knowledge to the villagers: Every such Faqeeh (Islamic jurisprudent) who gets free for ‘Fard Kifayah after performing Fard-e-‘Ayn, it is Wajib [obligatory] for him to visit the people living in the surroundings of his city and teach them the Faraaid [obligations] of Deen-e-Islam and Shari’ah. If a single Faqeeh performs this act, Fard will become annulled for all other people; otherwise, everyone will become sinner due to it. A scholar will face the sin because he becomes lazy in imparting Islamic knowledge to the people by not visiting them, whereas an ignorant person will face the sin because he becomes lazy in gaining it. (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 2, pp. 419)
اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Dawat-e-Islami, a Madani movement of devotees of Rasool, is fully committed to spread the light of knowledge even in the villages. Therefore, out of its 12 Madani activities, the 7th Madani activity is ‘Yaum-e-Ta’teel I’tikaf’ (i.e., visiting a Masjid of any village or surrounding area on a weekly holiday with the consultation of concerned Zimmahdar of Halqah Mushawarat, and performing I’tikaf there.) اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ until now, approximately 3,000 monthly Yaum-e-Ta’teel I’tikaf’ are being held across Pakistan.
Benefits of Yaum-e-Ta’teel I’tikaf
٭ As in this Madani activity, Islamic brothers stay in Masjid with the intention of gaining and imparting Islamic knowledge; therefore, it is a best source of remembering Rab عَزَّوَجَلَّ with good intentions and obtaining the reward of Nafl I’tikaf instead of wasting the weekly holiday in sleeping the whole day or other futile activities.
٭ It is also a source of gaining the excellence of conveying the call towards righteousness by visiting the poor areas and surroundings etc.
٭ This Madani act is also a great source of spreading the Islamic knowledge. The Madani Halqah [circle] conducted in Masjid provides an opportunity to the attendees to learn Wudu (ablution), Ghusl (ritual bath), Fard and Wajib acts of Salah as well as numerous acts of Sunnah and manners are also taught.
٭ Like other Madani activities, this Madani activity is also a source of filling Masajid with the Salah-offering people. Wherever this Madani activity is strong, Masajid of those areas will be full of Salah-offering people. The number of Salah-offering people will increase and through Dars-o-Bayan and Halqahs for gaining and imparting Islamic knowledge, Masajid will regain their former glory.
٭ This noble activity is also a source of earning virtuous deeds and refraining from sins. It means the longer one remains in Masjid with the intention of I’tikaf, the safer he will be from sins. Besides, one will also have the opportunity to gain immense reward for the blessed acts such as calling out Azan or replying to it, performing Salah in congregation with Takbeer-e-Aula and after performing one Salah, waiting for next Salah being in the Masjid, etc.
٭ As in this Madani activity, Islamic brothers meet the villagers who sometimes say such things which are not very nice. So Islamic brothers also attain the privilege of gaining reward upon listening to such things and observing patience over it.
Kuch naykiyan kama lay jald Aakhirat bana lay
Koi nahin bharosa ay bhai! Zindagi ka
صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب! صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلٰی مُحَمَّد
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