These last ten days refer to freedom from Hellfire. There is no worship given during these days. The nights consist of Laylatul Qadr and the days consist of I'itikaaf. Thus, Laylatul Qadr and I'itikaaf lead to freedom from Hellfire.
We should try to sit in I'itikaaf. There are different types of I'itikaaf, Wajib, Sunnah & Nafil. We should do the one we are capable of according to our circumstance.
Wajib I'itikaaf refers to seeking something from Allah ta'ala. Making a vow to perform a deed in exchange for having one's permissible requests fulfilled. People often resort to this if they face a difficulty or a need in life. If a person desires speedy results, he should vow with that action which is hard upon his desires. Allah ta'ala is more pleased with this as he performed something which was difficult for him. An example of this, is that a person promises that if his issue is resolved, he will sit in I'itikaaf for a set number of days. This is compulsory I'itikaaf and if one does not fulfil it, he is sinful.
Sunnah I'itikaaf is a Fard Kifaayah. If one or two people sit in I'itikaaf, it will compensate for the entire locality, although we should all try to sit in I'itikaaf.
Nafil I'itikaaf can be performed at any time of the day, even for a few hours. Whenever we enter the mosque, we should intend for Nafil I'itikaaf and for as long as we are there, we will remain a Mu'takif. We may make an intention in English. It is a shame that Shaytan makes us lose out on earning this reward. For a person who performs this, Allah ta'ala will decorate palaces for him in Paradise.
Regarding the Sunnah I'itikaaf, Nabi ﷺ mentions that if a person sits in I'itikaaf during these last ten days, he will gain the reward of two Hajj and two Umrah.
Rasulullah ﷺ related ‘Whomsoever performs I’tikaf for a day: Allah ﷻ will spread three trenches between him (or her) and the fire of hell. The width of each trench being greater than the distance between the Heaven and earth.’ [Tabrani Shareef]
Everyone is included in this worship somehow or another. Ramadan makes us practice these actions and even after Ramadan we can earn the reward. Ramadan is the training ground and when it departs, we must battle with our own desires.
Allah ta'ala has allowed us to control our desires in Ramadan, but we must learn to fight it after Ramadan when opposed with Shaytan and our desires. Whenever we are faced with sin outside Ramadan, we should bring back the training of Ramadan to save us.
I'itikaaf continues after Ramadan but the methodology of training will change.
How can we continue this act after Ramadan?
There are three factors of I'itikaaf. One is seclusion, whereby you are connected to Allah ta'ala and you are not disturbed by anything.
The second factor is complete focus and attention without thinking of any worldly thoughts and issues. We should keep rejecting them if they enter our minds. This is because the purpose of isolation is to eliminate the world.
The third is, the remembrance of Allah ta'ala.
If you don't have any of these factors, it is not correct.
We must continue to practice this action even after Ramadan because I'itikaaf is a great action.
Which worship grants us all three factors outside Ramadan?
The action of Muraqabah. Nabi ﷺ would perform Muraqabah in the cave of Hira. This was his I'itikaaf. Thus, the believer is always a Mu'takif even if he remains in Muraqabah.
Islam caters for all our social intercourses, societal and family life. It does not disturb or disrupt it. It is a unique religion. Rather, it grants us freedom. We can remain a Mu'takif even whilst we are working in any profession. In this state we are constantly seeking to be free from Hellfire.
Islam is not restricted to the mosque. Even when are in the outside world, we are engaged in Muraqabah and Tasawwur-e-Sheikh - envisioning the Sheikh. A person who remembers Allah ta'ala in his heart, is isolated even when he is in a gathering.
Whoever has attained the faiz, blessings from his teacher, then every moment his teacher is with him. When a person is always in a state of Muraqabah, he is safe from committing sins and he has a great dislike for it.
We must fight our desires all the time and even outside Ramadan. Everything is possible. If we can fight our desires today we can fight them tomorrow.
We should seek a Sheikh, sit in his company and practice his teachings. We should bear some difficulty and crush our desires alongside. This refers to making effort in this world which is required from us. For example, we should push through the actions our desires seek to prevent us from fulfilling. Through such actions, we attain Allah ta'ala.
The Aalim is always in danger as his knowledge makes him seeks excuses and loopholes in the deen. We must go against our desires and any opposition who present proofs and we should implement the order of our Sheikh.
These last ten days refer to freedom from Hellfire. There is no worship given during these days. The nights consist of Laylatul Qadr and the days consist of I'itikaaf. Thus, Laylatul Qadr and I'itikaaf lead to freedom from Hellfire.
We should try to sit in I'itikaaf. There are different types of I'itikaaf, Wajib, Sunnah & Nafil. We should do the one we are capable of according to our circumstance.
Wajib I'itikaaf refers to seeking something from Allah ta'ala. Making a vow to perform a deed in exchange for having one's permissible requests fulfilled. People often resort to this if they face a difficulty or a need in life. If a person desires speedy results, he should vow with that action which is hard upon his desires. Allah ta'ala is more pleased with this as he performed something which was difficult for him. An example of this, is that a person promises that if his issue is resolved, he will sit in I'itikaaf for a set number of days. This is compulsory I'itikaaf and if one does not fulfil it, he is sinful.
Sunnah I'itikaaf is a Fard Kifaayah. If one or two people sit in I'itikaaf, it will compensate for the entire locality, although we should all try to sit in I'itikaaf.
Nafil I'itikaaf can be performed at any time of the day, even for a few hours. Whenever we enter the mosque, we should intend for Nafil I'itikaaf and for as long as we are there, we will remain a Mu'takif. We may make an intention in English. It is a shame that Shaytan makes us lose out on earning this reward. For a person who performs this, Allah ta'ala will decorate palaces for him in Paradise.
Regarding the Sunnah I'itikaaf, Nabi ﷺ mentions that if a person sits in I'itikaaf during these last ten days, he will gain the reward of two Hajj and two Umrah.
Rasulullah ﷺ related ‘Whomsoever performs I’tikaf for a day: Allah ﷻ will spread three trenches between him (or her) and the fire of hell. The width of each trench being greater than the distance between the Heaven and earth.’ [Tabrani Shareef]
Everyone is included in this worship somehow or another. Ramadan makes us practice these actions and even after Ramadan we can earn the reward. Ramadan is the training ground and when it departs, we must battle with our own desires.
Allah ta'ala has allowed us to control our desires in Ramadan, but we must learn to fight it after Ramadan when opposed with Shaytan and our desires. Whenever we are faced with sin outside Ramadan, we should bring back the training of Ramadan to save us.
I'itikaaf continues after Ramadan but the methodology of training will change.
How can we continue this act after Ramadan?
There are three factors of I'itikaaf. One is seclusion, whereby you are connected to Allah ta'ala and you are not disturbed by anything.
The second factor is complete focus and attention without thinking of any worldly thoughts and issues. We should keep rejecting them if they enter our minds. This is because the purpose of isolation is to eliminate the world.
The third is, the remembrance of Allah ta'ala.
If you don't have any of these factors, it is not correct.
We must continue to practice this action even after Ramadan because I'itikaaf is a great action.
Which worship grants us all three factors outside Ramadan?
The action of Muraqabah. Nabi ﷺ would perform Muraqabah in the cave of Hira. This was his I'itikaaf. Thus, the believer is always a Mu'takif even if he remains in Muraqabah.
Islam caters for all our social intercourses, societal and family life. It does not disturb or disrupt it. It is a unique religion. Rather, it grants us freedom. We can remain a Mu'takif even whilst we are working in any profession. In this state we are constantly seeking to be free from Hellfire.
Islam is not restricted to the mosque. Even when are in the outside world, we are engaged in Muraqabah and Tasawwur-e-Sheikh - envisioning the Sheikh. A person who remembers Allah ta'ala in his heart, is isolated even when he is in a gathering.
Whoever has attained the faiz, blessings from his teacher, then every moment his teacher is with him. When a person is always in a state of Muraqabah, he is safe from committing sins and he has a great dislike for it.
We must fight our desires all the time and even outside Ramadan. Everything is possible. If we can fight our desires today we can fight them tomorrow.
We should seek a Sheikh, sit in his company and practice his teachings. We should bear some difficulty and crush our desires alongside. This refers to making effort in this world which is required from us. For example, we should push through the actions our desires seek to prevent us from fulfilling. Through such actions, we attain Allah ta'ala.
The Aalim is always in danger as his knowledge makes him seeks excuses and loopholes in the deen. We must go against our desires and any opposition who present proofs and we should implement the order of our Sheikh.
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
"As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers." [29:69]
Allah ta'ala will show us endless paths which lead to Him, however, the condition is to crush our desires. This refers to Mujahadah - working hard.
Tonight, we should repent at the hands of our Sheikh and spend this night properly. In return, our whole life will become easy and smooth for us.
Those who learn the dhikr of the heart in Ramadan, will be granted more rewards and will attain Allah ta'ala's pleasure.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement. Ameen