Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies — Page 37
Allah, as well as charity and goodwill, but during the last ten days of the month they strive more to worship God Almighty and to do good deeds. . The believers gather in the mosque in large numbers for. Prayers and spend these nights in the rememberance of Allah, asking forgiveness for their shortcomings and looking for the blessed night with the firm belief that God accepts the prayers of the supplicant readily during this night. . Those who can afford to devote the whole of their time in the remembrance of Allah, stay in the mosque for ten days. This worship is called I'tikaf or Retreat. They observe fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remebrance of Allah, performing voluntary Prayers and studying the Holy Quran, day and night, apart from the obligatory Prayers which they perform with the congregation. Food and other necessities of life are provided for them during their stay in the mosque, thus they may not leave the precincts of the mosque except for a genuine religious purpose. . Devoting their time thus fully to the remembrance of Allah, they hope to receive the divine favours and blessings connected with this blessed night. . The Prophet of Islam himself was very particular in this regard. . It is related that when the last ten days of Ramadhan began, he used to keep awake the whole night and was most diligent in worship. . Ayesha, the wife of the Holy Prophet, once asked him, ‘Messenger of Allah, tell me, in case I should realise which night is the. Night of Decree, how should I supplicate in it? He answered:. Supplicate; Allah, Thou art Most Forgiving and does love forgiveness, then do Thou forgive me' (Tirmidhi). . The Holy Quran. 37