Mahri: Teenagers' I'tikaf Should Not Be Turned Into a Three-Day Mosque Camp

Qazvin – A seminary and university professor said that attracting teenagers to I'tikaf should be tailored to their age, spiritual readiness, and knowledge of religious rulings, so that its educational capacity is not undermined by unprofessional programs.

According to Mehr reporter, Hojjatul-Islam Yaser Mahiri, on Wednesday night, in the first analytical and ideation meeting of "Bazm Andisheh" held by the General Directorate of Islamic Propaganda of Qazvin Province, referring to the expansion of I'tikaf in recent years, he considered this ceremony to be one of the important spiritual capacities of the Islamic Revolution and emphasized the need to use it more deeply.

Stating that the increase in the number of pilgrims alone does not indicate the full utilization of the capacity of pilgrimage, he said: This ceremony had a limited and little-known atmosphere in the past, but today it is widely welcomed in many mosques. However, the main issue is whether the organized programs fit the nature of the retreat and lead to its spiritual and educational goals.

Criticizing the holding of some youth programs called ``Itikaf'', this university professor said: In some cases, the programs held in the mosque are more similar to Urdu than ``Itikaf''. While these two have different goals, requirements and outputs.

Mahri added: Itikaf is an opportunity for solitude with God, spiritual concentration and individual experience of worship. If this nature is replaced by programs such as inappropriate games, scattered entertainment or the use of television and toys, it should not be expected that the mere presence of a teenager in the mosque for three days means benefiting from the effects of itikaf.

He continued: If the goal is to familiarize the teenager with the mosque, other models such as mosque camps, educational programs and continuous cultural activities can be used, and the retreat should be considered for a time when the person is more ready to understand and experience this spiritual opportunity.

Attracting teenagers requires gradual planning

Emphasizing that the presence of teenagers in itikaf should be accompanied by educational considerations, Mahiri clarified: the issue is not that teenagers should not participate in itikaf; Rather, age, level of preparation, mental condition and ability to meet the requirements of this ceremony should be considered.

Referring to the growth differences of boys and girls, he said: You cannot make the same prescription for all age groups. The organizers should make decisions according to the conditions of the audience and in cases where the readiness of the person to attend the retreat is doubtful, they should use methods of evaluation and discussion before registration.

This field and university professor pointed out: training a teenager to participate effectively in itikaf is a gradual process, and it is possible to provide him with a more conscious presence through mosque programs, training camps, and continuous activities; In such a way that itikaf becomes an attainable educational goal, not just a program to complete the capacity of the mosque.

Emphasizing the importance of teaching the rules of I'tikaf, Mahiri said: Before the ceremony, the organizers should familiarize the participants with the obligations, prohibitions and Shariah requirements of I'tikaf. In addition to harming the spiritual experience of people, ignorance of these rulings can also bring religious consequences.

He added: The teaching of rulings should not be limited to short explanations at the beginning of the ceremony, but it should be followed in the form of preliminary meetings and appropriate reminders during the retreat. This is especially important for teenagers who have less experience.

This college and university professor considered lawfulness and orderliness to be one of the educational opportunities of itikaf and said: observing the rules of this ceremony can become a part of the religious education process, provided that the rules are properly taught and the organizers are serious in their implementation.

Continuation of spirituality after retreat is important

Referring to the necessity of paying attention to the effects of the retreat after the ceremony, Mahiri stated: The measure of success should not be only the number of participants or the programs implemented in these three days; Rather, it should be seen what relationship a person finds with worship, spiritual solitude and connection with God after returning to daily life.

He stated that spiritual experience acquires more educational value when it continues in a person's life, and added: Planning for the extension of the retreat can be followed through the formation of weekly or bi-weekly delegations, mosque nights and continuous communication between teenagers and teachers.