By: Haroon Ibn Rasheed
Ramadan is a holy month of many mercy and blessings. From the day it begins, its purpose is to give Muslims the best opportunity and the best opportunity to seek forgiveness for their sins and to draw closer to God Almighty. Muslims believe in it and this devotion reaches its peak in the last ten days of Ramadan because the month is coming to an end and no one knows whether he will be able to fulfill it by next Ramadan. Worship of the last ten days of Ramadan is a Sunnah of I’tikaaf. It is a ritual in which Muslims spend the last ten days of Ramadan in solitude and in this solitude they ask Allah Almighty for forgiveness and blessings.
The following lines give a brief introduction to I’tikaf and its virtues in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Retreat ( I’tikaaf ); KooHazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as follows: (Bukhari) It is clear from this hadith that I’tikaaf is not something that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw or performed only once in his life, but it is one of the deeds of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in Ramadaan. Which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed regularly throughout his life. The last ten days of Ramadan, so if a Muslim cannot observe I’tikaaf regularly throughout the year. Then, whether it is a man or a woman, whenever there is an opportunity and time, he must try to observe it.
Virtues of I’tikaf; Apart from the fact that I’tikaaf takes place in the last ten days of Ramadan in which Muslims often go for prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran, and Nawafil, there are many other virtues of I’tikaaf. The following lines discuss the great virtues of I’tikaaf that a Muslim should look for and achieve while fulfilling this great Sunnah.
Reward increase; Probably the greatest virtue of I’tikaaf in the month of Ramadan is the great reward that comes with it. Blessings and rewards increase immensely if it is spent in I’tikaf. In one of his hadiths, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever observes I’tikaaf for ten days in Ramadaan will get the reward of two Hajj and two Umrahs.”(Shaab-ul-Iman 5/436, Hadith: 3680). From this hadith of the Holy Prophet (SAW) it is known that the reward of I’tikaaf is equal to the reward which a person gets from two Hajj and two Umrah’s. Hajj and Umrah are two of the holiest acts of worship that a Muslim can perform and their reward is unparalleled. Moreover, another thing about these two acts of worship is that they should be performed by people who can arrange the means to perform them. Therefore, performing them once in a lifetime is a great achievement for a Muslim. Therefore, a Muslim can appreciate the importance of I’tikaf and try to understand it. This is a simple act that one can perform in a house or in a nearby mosque. A Muslim gets a reward equal to two Hajj and two Umrahs, one of which people work all their lives. Therefore, it is necessary for a Muslim to try I’tikaaf whenever he gets a chance in Ramadan.
Protection from Hell: Another reason why Muslims consider the month of Ramadan lucky is that it allows them to seek forgiveness from God Almighty. This request for forgiveness from Allah Almighty and the consequent provision actually saves a Muslim from the fire of Hell which he deserves because of his sins. Be the guarantor of protection from the fire of Hell. I’tikaaf is an act that guarantees protection from the fires of Hell. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in his hadeeth:”Whoever observes I’tikaaf for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will keep him away from the ditches of Hell.”
(Tabarani)….; This hadeeth explains the benefits of protection for a Muslim from the fire of I’tikaaf. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that this protection from Hell is the reward that a Muslim gets from one day of I’tikaaf. The benefit of performing I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan is inconceivable.
Dual benefits: In Ramadan, all acts of worship and good deeds are performed for the forgiveness of past sins and for the reward of good deeds. Therefore, the double benefit is the goal of a Muslim. The Sunnah of I’tikaaf is a perfect practice that provides an opportunity to reap this double benefit. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: That he is safe from sins and he also gets the reward that everyone gets (outside I’tikaaf). Good deeds ”(Ibn Majah) It is clear from this hadith that during I’tikaaf a person is in solitude but the attainment of reward is not separate but the reward of good deeds of others is also given to man. Therefore, I’tikaaf is the best way to get rid of sins and get rewards through various means.
Bottom line: In short, the month of Ramadan itself is one of the great blessings that a Muslim receives in the Islamic calendar. The virtue of I’tikaaf in this month of blessings is another great benefit and is a source of blessings from Allah Almighty which can help I’tikaaf. The Muslim apologizes for what he has forgotten and He reaps the rewards of the coming months till next Ramadan.
Author is a Research Scholar. He can be mailed at warharoon406@gmail.com
