Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi Advices Itikaf Youth

IRAN – Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi stated in a message addressed to the Itikaf youth,” Experiencing an atmosphere away from the noise and preoccupations of the material world and renouncing pleasures and paying attention to God Almighty and then attaining His forgiveness and satisfaction is an important achievement of Itikaf.”

The text of Shia source of emulation Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi’s message to the Itikaf youth in 1445 AH is as follows:

In the name of God

Prayer is one of the best means of communication between people and the Almighty God, and Itikaf is one of the most complete acts of worship for getting closer to God Almighty and purifying the soul.

The time of Itikaf is the best time and its place is the best place and fasting in it, is the highest state of worship. Experiencing an atmosphere away from the noise and preoccupations of the material world and renouncing pleasures and paying attention to God Almighty and then attaining His forgiveness and satisfaction is an important achievement of Itikaf.

I congratulate all the men and women who attend Itikaf, especially the beloved young people, on this divine success and advise them to make the most of this opportunity and beware that neglect and idleness in this atmosphere do not cause them to lose opportunities.

It is also necessary for the organizers to try to use this golden opportunity to host the divine guests in the best possible way with meaningful and worthwhile programs.

I ask God for health and well-being of the pilgrims and the answers to their prayers and the fulfillment of their needs, and I express my appreciation and gratitude to all those responsible for organizing this spiritual ceremony and I hope that I and all the survivors of this auspicious ceremony will be included in the prayers of the Itikaf participants.

Qom- Nasser Makarem Shirazi