Is it prescribed to make up i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for one who missed it?

Question : If a person misses i'tikaf, whether with an excuse or without an excuse, do we say that it is prescribed for him to make it up, just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) made it up?

Answer : There is scholarly hesitation on this, because it was the Messenger's (peace and blessings be upon him) habit that if he did something, he would establish it, just as he established the two rak'ahs after 'Asr which he made up because he was prevented from praying them, whereas we do not make them up. Praise be to Allah, the doors of obedience are many; for example, sitting by the knee of a scholar and learning is better than i'tikaf.