The condition for breaking i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in case of dire necessity

Question : The questioner asks: Is it permissible for me to stipulate in my i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) that I may break it at any time due to dire necessity?

Answer : In the first place, my brothers, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is a recommended practice (sunnah), and there is no need to stipulate breaking it. If you enter i'tikaf intending to stay for the last ten days, and then you decide to break it, there is no blame on you; go out. Why? Because it is a recommended practice (sunnah), and a recommended practice (sunnah) does not have to be completed, except for one act of worship: Hajj (the major pilgrimage) or 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). Likewise, jihad (struggle in the path of Allah) for the one who is present in the battle line. Otherwise, the default is that a person may exit from all recommended practices (sunnah).