Rasa News Agency reports - On Thursday, May 8, the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, met with members of the Central Committee for I’tikaf. The meeting was part of a celebration of i’tikaf at Imam Khomeini (RA) Higher Education Complex in the Holy City of Qom.
I’tikaf is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of retreat in a mosque for a certain number of days in accordance with the believer’s own wish. It is most common during the month of Ramadhan, especially the last ten days. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, there have been an ever growing number of youth participating.
Shaykh Saleem Bhimji, a scholar in Canada, has written: “I’tikaf is not a three day holiday from work or school; it is not a time to sit in the mosques in complete ignorance of ones’ self and his spiritual surroundings; it is not the venue to pass one’s time in idleness. I’tikaf is not the act of sleeping and snoring in the mosque and kill time. I’tikaf is a three day spiritual retreat to build the self and being around His servants which He has guided.”
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the importance given to the prophetic tradition of i’tikaf and praised the public’s enthusiasm for it. Saying the enthusiasm shown by Iranians toward Islamic practices are symbols of the divine blessings and fruits of the Islamic Revolution. “The authorities of this prophetic tradition must plan sensibly and also know the threats and harms [that may occur] in order to prepare the hearts and minds of those going on i’tikaf so that they can gain closeness to God and cleanse their souls,” the Supreme Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the acts of worship performed during i’tikaf is a form of self-discipline with a desire to improve one’s spiritual life. “The indescribable love shown by the youth for i’tikaf after the Islamic Revolution is found throughout mosques and universities across the country. It should be appreciated as a valuable opportunity,” he explained.
Ayatollah Khamenei explained that the period spent in i’tikaf should be devoted to prayer and attention to God in order to improve one’s self permanently. “During the enlightened ceremony of i’tikaf, we learn from the experience of companionship, friendship and brotherly relations, and we also have opportunities to teach and learn about our religion.”
Careful spiritual planning and knowing the spiritual damages than can be caused by the improper use of i’tikaf is necessary. “One must bring his heart and mind close to God and close it off to any types of interruptions, turmoil and unnecessary thoughts from the outside which can harm their spiritual lives and performance of i’tikaf,” the Supreme Leader recommended.
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