Like every year, MYL Norway held Aitikaaf event for brothers aged 13 – 30. The weekend of 19th – 21st July (10th – 12th Ramadan) was selected as dates for this year’s Nafli Aitikaaf. Two brothers from MYL Norway, Brother Yasin Adil and Brother Yousaf Ghauri coordinated this event and were responsible for preparing the schedule, which was to be followed by the participants. The Aitikaaf started after Asr on Friday evening and lasted till Asr on Sunday evening.

Most of the Friday was spent preparing for the yearly Iftaar dinner held by MYL Norway, and attending speeches given by both brothers and sisters, and also Allama Nasir Ali Awan. Saturday started with Salat-ul-Tahajudd, Suhur and Salat-ul-Fajr. After this, the participants slept and were woken up to pray Salat-ul-Chasht. A total of 17 brothers from different age groups participated and were present for the whole weekend, with the intention of pleasing Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The goal for this weekend was also to do as much ‘Tauba’ as possible and learn to control their ‘Nafs’. Furthermore, the second day contained reading of the Holy Quran with Tajweed, Q&A session about Itekaf and how one should behave when in Aitikaaf. Speeches were given in Norwegian by brothers from MYL Norway on different topics. This was a new thing introduced especially for this year’s Nafli Aitikaaf, as a number of people didn’t understand the level of Urdu Allama Saab spoke. So, to get a better understanding of Aitikaaf and different topics, brothers from MYL Norway made sure that most of the activities were held in Norwegian, with the exception of two speeches given by the Ulamas.

The topics which were selected for speeches for this Nafli Aitikaaf were Dajjal and Imam Mehdi, purification, and morality. Along with these speeches it was also ensured that the participants did Dhikr and performed individual worship. Every participant was given some goals he had to achieve before the end of Aitikaaf, like offering Durood 300 times every day, being in the state of Wudhu during Aitikaaf, praying with the congregation and keeping away from worldly conversations. On Sunday, a speech by Shaykh-ul-Islam was shown followed up by why Minhaj-ul-Quran and why Minhaj Youth League were so important. Brother Awais from MYL Norway explained in detail the Mission of Minhaj-ul-Quran and how the participants could become a part of it and do their part. The Aitikaaf was concluded with collective Dua. Every participant was given Aitikaaf gifts, containing books by Shaykh-ul-Islam.

Reported By: Hassan Naveed