What is the ruling on performing i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for some of the ten days, but not all of them?

Question : The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible for a Muslim to perform i'tikaf for part of the ten days, such as performing i'tikaf until the twenty-seventh day and then leaving to continue his work? Repeat, repeat. He says: Is it permissible for a Muslim to perform i'tikaf for part of the ten days, such as performing i'tikaf until the twenty-seventh day and then leaving to continue his work?

Answer : Yes, i'tikaf is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory. If a person performs i'tikaf for some of the ten days, we do not say that he has committed a sin, but we say that he has not obtained the sunnah that came from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), because the sunnah that came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is to perform i'tikaf for all ten days. Yes. He is rewarded according to what he did, but it is not said that he obtained the sunnah.