Assalaam o Alaikum,
We hope you are in good health and best state of Imaan.
E’tikaf 2009
The E`tikaf is the annual ten day seclusion which takes place in the last ten days of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. This practice is optional for Muslims and can be performed alone or collectively. It is an advance form of self purification and spiritual uplift which takes the performer into a domain which is not in the scope of fasting which is a lower form of this spiritual venture.
Collective Etikaf is performed all over the world with the most famous venues being the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabavi in Madinah. The collective Etikaf is the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and holds higher reward and benefit. The collective I`tikaf performed by the Holy Prophet SAW in Masjid Nabavi with the Sahabah was a unique spiritual training camp which consisted of the Holy prophet (SAW) lecturing, teaching and practically training the Sahabah with special regards to gaining a high spiritual status.
The Collective Etikafs present in the world today, are only considered to be collective due to the large numbers of people performing the practice at one venue. They do not possess the attributes of the collective Itikaf which was performed by the Holy Prophet (SAW). The annual collective Etikaf organised by Minhaj-ul-Quran International in Lahore is based upon the collective Etikaf model of the time of Holy prophet (SAW). The ten day Etikaf is organised as a spiritual training camp with the main features of the Etikaf being the lectures and sittings of Shaykh-ul-Islam Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Together with the practical methods of advancing ones spiritual status through various sequences of the remembrance of Allah which those in the I`tikaf adhere to under the guidance of Shaykh-ul-Islam.
Thousands of men and women take part in the MQI collective Etikaf every year who travel from the lengths and breadths of Pakistan with scores making a special journey from around the globe. Having the opportunity to perform the collective Etikaf in the company and spiritual guidance of one of the greatest Sufis and Shaykhs alive is a privilege which attracts drove upon drove of worshippers. The collective E`tikaf is used by MQI as a spirtual retreat to spiritually charge individuals to prepare them to carry out the Islamic propagational work of MQI.
We have been blessed by Allah SWT with the blessing of wealth but for some of us it is not possible to go to Saudi Arabia or to Pakistan to participate in the E’tikaf, but there are many people in Pakistan who would like to benefit from this blessed opportunity but unfortunately they can’t afford to take time off from work and also pay the fee due to current economic crises.
As you are aware there are 10,000 of Muslims gather in Lahore for E’tikaf for 10 days and it’s not possible for Minhaj ul Quran to finance this, therefore we humbly request our brothers and sisters throughout the world to sponsor these people who would like to sit E’tikaf for 10 days. It’s only £10.00 per person.
May Allah accept our good deeds.
To donate online:
EBay:
E’tikaaf 2009 Sponsorship on eBay (end time 18-Sep-09 09:02:21 BST)
For further information:
For Credit card payments:
Donation Hotline: 01282 723456
Cheques (Send to)
Minhaj Welfare Foundation UK
12 Carr Road,
Nelson,
BB9 0TR,
UK
Bank
Account No. 21 65 18 03 / Sort Code: 40-15-17
Looking forward to hear from you.
We humbly request you sponsor at least one Person.
Ma’salama