Thousands go into spiritual retreat as Aetekaf begins

Participants seclude themselves in mosques during last 10 days of Ramazan to seek spiritual purification

KARACHI:

Aetekaf refers to a spiritual retreat or ritual seclusion in a mosque in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramazan when the faithful dedicate themselves to worship and stay away from worldly affairs.

Like every Ramazan, hundreds of thousands of Karachiites will begin the observance of Aetekaf today, Friday, after the Asr prayers. This religious retreat is undertaken with the intention of seeking spiritual purification and closeness to Allah. The Aetekaf period will conclude with the sighting of the Shawwal moon, which marks the end of Ramazan.

A number of mosques have made special arrangements to accommodate the mutakafeen (those observing Aetekaf). Prominent among these mosques are New Memon Mosque, Faran Mosque, Jamia Mosque, Jinnah Mosque, Gulzar-e-Habib Mosque, Faizan Madina Mosque, Thanvi Mosque, and Jamia Mosque on Amjadiya Alamgir Road, among others.

Facilities for Aetekaf are also being provided at the Expo Centre, Khaliq Dina Hall, Rehmaniya Mosque on Tariq Road, Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamia Masjid, Banuri Town, and many more throughout the city. In some locations, women have also been provided with the opportunity to observe Aetekaf at home.

The registration process for mutikafeen was completed early in Ramazan in most mosques. In many of these mosques, provisions for Sehar and Iftar have also been arranged for those observing Aetekaf.

Throughout the Aetekaf period, the mutikafeen will engage in worship activities, including shabina (night prayers), taraweeh, nawafil, and special supplications. Emphasis will be placed on seeking the blessings of Shab-e-Qadr, particularly on the odd nights. The mutikafeen will offer prayers for the prosperity and stability of the nation.