An estimated 1.5 million faithful in Lahore will be observing Aitekaf in about five thousand mosques across the cit during the last ten days of Ramadan, starting today.
During this time they will sit in seclusion and worship Almighty Allah seeking His blessings. Observing Aitekaf is a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and accordingly before today’s sunset the devotees with throng mosques all over the country for it. The security arrangements around the mosques and special “Aitekaf cities” in Lahore have been beefed up with deployment of policemen.
On Saturday, Aitekaf remained the talk of the town and young men and women were showing great interest in observing Aitekaf. They said they had finalised their preparations in this regard. The Punjab Auqaf Department has completed its arrangement for 2,000 people intending to observe Aietkaf.
Special arrangements in this regard have been made at Jamia Masjid Data Darbar. Badhsai Mosque, Masjid Wazir Khan, Sunehri Masjid, Jamia Rehamina, Jamia Al-Qadsia, Jamia Ashrfia, Jamia Naeemia, Jamiatul Manzoor, Quran academy, Masjid ibrahim and Minhaj-ul-Quran of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri. A large number of women will also be taking part in the special worship.
Maulana Muhammad Younus, principal of Islamic Institute of Dar-ul-Islah, told Pakistan Today that people observing Aietkaf would be the guests of Allah. He said it was the time when one sought salvation and forgiveness for one’s sins. A citizen Muhammad Ashfaq said it was like a refresher courses that could purge one of one’s sins.
Maulana Raghib Naeemi of Jamia Naeemia said that despite an increase in the number of those observing Aitekaf has increased over the years, but over 90 percent of them lacked the essential preparation and spiritual guidance for it. He said his centre was holding training sessions for those intending to observe Aitekaf.
