Karachi:
Aetekaf refers to a spiritual retreat or ritual isolation in a mosque in the last 10 days of the Sacred Month of Ramazan when the faithful are dedicated to worshiping and staying away from worldly affairs.
Like each Ramazan, hundreds of thousands of Karachiites will begin the observance of Aetekaf today, on Friday, after Asr’s prayers. This religious retirement is carried out with the intention of seeking spiritual purification and closeness to Allah. The Aetekaf period will conclude with the shawwal moon sighting, which marks the end of Ramazan.
Several mosques have made special arrangements to accommodate the mutakafeen (those who observe toetekaf). Among these mosques are the new Memon Mosque, the Faran Mosque, the Jamia Mosque, the Jinnah Mosque, the Gulzar-E-Habib Mosque, the Faizan Madina Mosque, the Thanvi Mosque and the Jamia Mosque on the Amjadiya Alamgar road, among others.
Facilities for Aetekaf are also provided at the exhibition center, Khaliq Dina Hall, the Rehmaniya Mosque in Tariq Road, the Mosque Mumitul Mukarram in Gulshan-E-Iqbal, Jamia Masjid, Banuri Town and many more throughout the city. In some places, women have also been given 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 organized for those who observe Aetekaf.
Throughout the Aetekaf period, Mutikafeen will participate in worship activities, including shabina (night sentences), Taraweeh, Nawafil and special pleas. Emphasis will be placed on looking for the blessings of Shab-E-Qadr, particularly on strange nights. Mutikafeen will offer prayers for the prosperity and stability of the nation.
