Getting accustomed tostaying in the mosque

Theperson in I’tikaaf has committed himself to staying in the mosque for aspecific time period. Human nature may not readily accept suchrestrictions at the beginning of the I’tikaaf, but usually thisattitude quickly disappears because of the peace of mind that theMuslim soul develops from staying in the House of Allah.

The person in I’tikaafunderstands the importance of his staying in the mosque during hisI’tikaaf from the following things:

Theperson who stays in the mosque finds that the mosque becomes dear tohim, and he understands the value of the houses of Allah, may He beexalted. This love has a great value with Allah, because those who lovethe houses of Allah will be one of the groups whom Allah will shade onthe Day when there will be no shade except His shade.

Whena person stays in the mosque, whilst he is waiting for the prayer, heis rewarded as for praying, and the angels pray for forgiveness forhim. According to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah bepleased with him), the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings ofAllah be upon him,  said:“The angels will pray for blessings for any one of you as long as hestays in his place of prayer and as long as nothing happens to breakhis wudoo’. [They say:] ‘O Allah, forgive him, O Allah have mercy onhim.’ As long as any one of you stays in his place of prayer, as longas what is keeping him there is the fact that he is waiting for theprayer, and nothing is keeping him from going back to his family apartfrom his prayer.” (al-Bukhaari, 2/360 Fath al-Baari).