Thousands of faithful sit in Eitkaf

In a bid to seek mercy of Almighty Allah for their sins in the last 'Ashra' of the holy month of Ramazan, thousands of faithful on Saturday started Eitkaf (seclusion) in around five thousand city mosques.
The Eitkaf exercise started with the sunset in the evening of the 20th day of Ramazan and those sitting on Eitkaf will finish seclusion after the sighting of Shawal moon. A large number of women also sat in Eitkaf in their homes to spend maximum time in prayers to earn blessings and mercy of Allah Almighty. Some women also sit in Eitkaf for only last three days of the holy month of Ramazan.
Special arrangements were made at various mosques, including Data Darbar Mosque, Badshahi Mosque, Jamia Ashrafia, Jamia Naeemia, Mansoora, Minhaj ul Quran, Raiwind, Masjid Ibrahim and various other mosques to facilitate the faithful to accomplish the exercise in the process of seclusion.
In some mosques, including Data Darbar Mosque, Auqaf Department had made special arrangements for Iftar and Sehri for the faithful sitting in Eitkaf, while in small mosques; the faithful sitting on Eitkaf had made their own arrangements for Sehri and Iftari.
Religious scholars told Business Recorder here on Saturday that the last Ashra of the holy month was full of maximum blessings for the faithful. The faithful should make efforts to get maximum blessings through their good acts and worship of Allah Almighty.
They further said Ramazan was the month during which the Holy Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. They said the holy month of Ramazan has a special significance in the eyes of Almighty Allah, since He has declared it as His Month.
"This is the month of immense blessings and salvation. Fasting in this month inculcates the lessons of patience, perseverance and sacrifices. This holy month witnessed the revelation of the Holy Qur'an, which is an eternal code of life for all societies and times", they said.
They urged the Muslims to extend all possible help to needy brethren so that they could also observe fast and get benefit from the blessings of this month. They also asked rich people to give their zakat and make sure their share of the wealth was handed over to the needy people only.