Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Over 50,000 Muslim faithful men and women are performing itikaf (staying in a mosque solely for the purpose of worship and meditation) in the Grand Mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan. "During this period these worshipers would not go out from the mosque for worldly purposes, except for essential needs, and devote their whole time for reading the Holy Qur'an and engage in prayers seeking forgiveness and blessings of Allah," a religious expert said. The faithful who perform itikaf include the elderly, the youth, the rich and the poor and they spend their time in a totally spiritual atmosphere replete with faith in Allah. Every one of them tries to get closer to Allah through prayers, worship and glorification of His names. Some of them started itikaf on Thursday and Friday to get suitable places inside the mosque before the big rush. The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has allocated two places for itikaf — second floor of King Abdullah Annex and the underground floor of King Fahd Annex. "The remaining places are allocated for other worshipers, where itikaf is not allowed," a presidency official said. Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited the two locations allocated for itikaf and found that the faithful were having special magnetic cards. They were allowed to have a pillow, a blanket and a mobile phone. They have been giving lockers to keep their belonging, which can be opened using the card. Faithful sitting in King Abdullah Annex for itikaf refused to talk to the press as they wanted the worship solely to attain the pleasure and reward of Allah and not to get name or fame. However, Okaz/Saudi Gazette was able to obtain some basic information from them. One of them introduced himself as an employee of a company in the Western Province. "For the last 20 years I spend about 15 days of my annual vacation in the Grand Mosque, devoting my time in worship and prayers," said Hameed, who preferred to keep his family name anonymous. He performs Umrah with his wife and children and then takes them back home. After that he returns to the Grand Mosque for itikaf. Hameed sits near a pillar of the annex building and he is having a bag to keep his clothes in addition to a Qur'an copy and a prayer mattress. "This is my place for itikaf. I would not go out except for essential things. I will leave the mosque only in the night before Eid Al-Fitr," he explained. "I feel extremely happy while sitting in the mosque spending time in prayers, worship and meditation." Beside Hameed was a 30-year-old man, who refused to give his name. He said his itikaf experience began last year and gave its full credit to his wife. She is also doing itikaf in the women's section. "We meet when we get out for food and then we return to mosque." "Our marriage took place last Shaaban and the next month I performed itikaf encouraged by my wife. By the Grace of Allah, we are here again for itikaf. I am very happy and I will continue this worship throughout my life considering the spiritual enjoyment I receive by doing it." Another young man named Ahmed also expressed his desire to perform itikaf every year. "Once while in itikaf I was hit by a disease but I continued till the end. Those who have tasted this worship would not miss it as they will do it ignoring all difficulties," Ahmed said. Syrian Ahmed Saleem said he was staying at the Grand Mosque from Ramadan 15. "For the last 25 years I have been performing itikaf at the mosque." This time he has come with his two sons. Salman Al-Maqoushi, manager of the guidance department, said Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, has given them special instructions to take care of the faithful who perform itikaf at the mosque and provide them with a spiritual atmosphere. This year the presidency has allocated over 2,000 lockers for itikaf performers. He said the two places allocated for itikaf can accommodate about 100,000 worshipers. "We provide these worshipers with necessary guidance through religious lectures in order to encourage them to spend their time in total worship and avoid distraction. We also distribute pamphlets on how to perform itikaf perfectly. We conduct inspection tours to find out any wrong practices and correct them immediately," he added.
