In Zad al-Ma`ad fi hadyi khayr al-`Ibad, Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, a famous Muslim scholar, explains the idea behind i`tikaf saying: He (Allah) also prescribed i`tikaf for them (Muslims), by which it is intended that the heart is fully occupied with Allah, the Most High, concentrated upon Him alone, and cut off from preoccupation with the creatures. Rather it is so engrossed with Him alone, the One free of all defects, that remembering Him, loving Him and turning to Him takes the place of all anxieties of the heart and its suggestions, so that he is able to overcome them. Thus all his concerns are for Him. His thoughts are all of remembrance of Him, and thinking of how to attain His pleasure and what will cause nearness to Him. This leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of the people, so that prepares him for being at peace with Him alone on the day of loneliness in the grave, when there is no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace except Him. So this is the greater goal of i`tikaf.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:30:22 +0000
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