Rulings on I'tikaf and What Is Prohibited for the One in I'tikaf

Question:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Honorable Shaykh, the questioner says: Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy. What are the rulings related to i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in terms of what is prohibited and what is obligatory?

Answer:
I'tikaf is also among the characteristics of the last ten days. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform i'tikaf in them. I'tikaf is staying in the mosque where the congregational prayer is performed, remaining there day and night for the sake of worshipping Allah and devoting oneself to dhikr, prayer, recitation, and worship?
I'tikaf is a great act of worship encompassing all acts of worship. It is prescribed in Ramadan and in other times. It is prescribed in every mosque where the congregational prayer is established. The one in i'tikaf must devote his time to worship. He should not spend it sleeping in the mosque. Excessive sleeping in the mosque while saying, "I am in i'tikaf," is not right. He sleeps, but he sleeps only as much as necessary, then he gets up to pray, remember Allah, and recite the Qur'an. Thus, he fills his time with obedience.
Likewise, the one in i'tikaf does not leave his place of i'tikaf except for what is absolutely necessary, such as relieving himself, performing wudu' (ablution), or going to get his food and drink if he has no one to serve him and bring him his food and drink. He goes out only to the extent of the need, then returns to his i'tikaf until he completes his days. Also, it is forbidden for the one in i'tikaf, and it invalidates the i'tikaf, to have sexual intercourse with his wife.
So the one in i'tikaf does not have intercourse with his wife. Not at night in Ramadan, and likewise not in other times if he is in i'tikaf; he does not have intercourse with her, neither at night nor during the day. Allah the Exalted said: . So the one in i'tikaf is prohibited from having sexual intercourse with his family.
There is no harm in him speaking to his wife or her speaking to him, especially nowadays via mobile phone or telephone; there is no harm in that. There is no harm in his wife visiting him, taking some items from him, or bringing him some items and sitting with him in his i'tikaf; there is no harm in that. But what is prohibited is having sexual intercourse with her until he finishes his i'tikaf. Yes.