Ramadan Was About Seclusion For The Prophet ‎ﷺ

Ramadan Was About Seclusion For The Prophet ﷺ

When we think Ramadan we think about all the places we're invited to, the people we're going to meet, the restaurants we're going to eat at, the nice food we're going to order in. For us Ramadan is a festival, some kind of eating and socializing festival. For the Prophet ﷺ, Ramadan was about seclusion, about hiding away from people, about being on your own.

Today if you go to a restaurant, you go to the hospital, you look at people in a waiting line — no one can be on their own with their thoughts anymore. We need to look at our phones. We cannot sit by ourselves without any stimulation for five minutes.

Do I'tikaf From Your Phone

If you can't do i'tikaf in the masjid, do i'tikaf from your phone. Seclude yourself from social media, deactivate the socials, get away, uninstall WhatsApp for ten days. What's going to happen? Those who really need you are going to call and SMS you — don't worry, you're not going to get away.

The Power of الخَلْوَة — Seclusion

But practice al-khalwah — practice being by yourself. Because when you are on your own, this is when the most sincere du'a comes from your heart. When you're on your own, this is where the most deep contemplation of the Quran happens. When you're on your own, you might weep from the fear and the consciousness of Allah.

But when you're with other people — always with other people — it's a sign you're not comfortable being on your own. You're scared of your thoughts, you're agitated. Being on your own brings a calmness.