Hundreds & thousands of faithful go into seclusion called ‘Itikaaf’ in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, March 31 (SABAH): Like the rest of the Islamic world, hundreds and thousands of devout Muslims go into seclusion called Itikaaf in Pakistan from Sunday.

Itikaaf is observed in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan to pray in seclusion for the blessings of Almighty Allah and following the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). From 21st of Ramadan, men will restrict themselves to mosques, while women separate themselves from other within their homes to devote themselves for prayers. Itikaaf means “devotion to a thing and sticking to it”.

Hundreds and thousands of believers started Itikaaf after Asr prayer on Sunday in Pakistan. Mosques have made special arrangements to accommodate men for Itikaaf across the country. Special arrangements are also made by the administration of some mosques and philanthropists to provide sehri and iftar for those observing itikaaf.

In Islamabad the biggest number of Muslims observes Itikaaf at Faisal Mosque. Registration of the hundreds of people for observing the Itikaaf at the Faisal Mosque is done several weeks prior to observing Itikaaf. Along with the religious training the sehar and iftar is also provided to those who observe Itikaaf by the administration of the Faisal Mosque.

In Lahore, hundreds of people would observe Itikaaf in Data Sahib Mosque, Badshahi Mosque and Minhajul Quran Mosque of Tahirul Qadri. Itikaaf ends when the moon of Shawwal is sighted.