Some people wish to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) during these days, but they are unable to do so because they are not accustomed to it; should they perform i'tikaf for some days and leave out others?
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The questioner : Some people wish to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) during these days, but they are unable to do so because they are not accustomed to it; should they perform i'tikaf for some days and leave out others?
The Shaykh : We say that the sunnah (recommended practice) is to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for all ten days, because the Night of Decree may be on any of the nights of the ten. As we have mentioned, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) was prescribed for the purpose of seeking out the Night of Decree, so the sunnah (recommended practice) is to complete it. What we advise this questioner is to begin i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) now. If he experiences weakness or a decline in resolve, there is no blame on him for breaking off the i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), because i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is not obligatory; it is a sunnah (recommended practice), and if a person begins a sunnah (recommended practice), he may break it off if there is a valid reason.
The Shaykh : We say that the sunnah (recommended practice) is to perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for all ten days, because the Night of Decree may be on any of the nights of the ten. As we have mentioned, i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) was prescribed for the purpose of seeking out the Night of Decree, so the sunnah (recommended practice) is to complete it. What we advise this questioner is to begin i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) now. If he experiences weakness or a decline in resolve, there is no blame on him for breaking off the i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), because i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is not obligatory; it is a sunnah (recommended practice), and if a person begins a sunnah (recommended practice), he may break it off if there is a valid reason.