What is the meaning of i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the mosque, and is it permissible for the one observing i'tikaf to leave for his needs?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good. A message from one of the listening brothers who preferred not to mention his name. He asks and says: Tell us about i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), and is it permissible to leave the Haram (sacred precinct) during i'tikaf to go to a hospital, even if the hospital is outside Makkah? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is staying in a mosque for the worship of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). It is a condition for the mosque in which one observes i'tikaf that congregational prayer is performed in it; it must be one of the mosques where congregational prayer is performed, and it must not be an abandoned mosque. This is because i'tikaf that prevents one from attending the congregation is not valid. If one conditions leaving for the hospital or for something else, then he has what he conditioned. As for if he did not condition it, then he remains in his place of i'tikaf and does not leave except out of dire necessity. And when he finishes his need and necessity, he hastens to return to his place of i'tikaf. Yes.