Guidance on the statement of the one who cited the permissibility of i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in months other than Ramadan as evidence, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) performance of i'tikaf in months other than Ramadan

The questioner : We cite as evidence for i'tikaf in months other than Ramadan the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) performance of it.

The Shaykh : What is it? What?

The questioner : In the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) performance of what? In performing i'tikaf in months other than Ramadan.

The Shaykh : Yes, this was a make-up for something he had missed in Ramadan. It was the habit of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that whenever he did something, he continued to do it.

The questioner : All right, Shaykh, does he not make up the middle ten days in Ramadan?

The Shaykh : No, he does not make them up. This was a voluntary act. The middle ten days in the second Ramadan are like the first ten days of Shawwal; there is no difference, because there is no specific night that takes precedence. Yes.