conducted with great hardship and severity. Warning us about this, our beloved master, the final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said, “A poor person does not undergo any destitution or hunger, except at the hands of the rich. Listen; Allah will take severe account of such wealthy people, and give them painful punishment.” ^[1]

Encouragement to perform ‘Itikaaf

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه, the month of Ramadan is fast approaching. What can be said of the blessings found in this sacred month? It becomes very easy to increase the amount of good deeds and worship we perform whenever this month comes around. One of the best ways to increase our good deeds, safeguard ourselves from sins, and learn Islamic knowledge is to spend the entire month of Ramadan in I’tikaaf. If you cannot do the entire month, spend the final ten days in Itikaaf, as the great excellence of this act has been explained in blessed hadith of the final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Sayyida Aaisha Siddiqa رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا narrates that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “مَنِ اعْتَکَفَ اِیْمانًا وَّا ِحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَلَہ مَاتَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِہٖ” “Whoever performed I’tikaaf with faith and whilst remaining hopeful of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” ^[2]

Dear Islamic brothers! If you cannot do it every year, we should perform I’tikaaf for the entire month of Ramadan at least once in our lives. Our beloved master, the final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم taught us to always seek the pleasure of Allah, and especially in the month of Ramadan, he himself would perform extensive acts of worship. For example, he once performed I’tikaaf for the entire month of Ramadan. Once a person considers the fact that I’tikaaf is Sunnah, and Laylat-ul-Qadr is kept within one of the nights of Ramadan, what could be better