Some people observe i'tikaf for the entire ten days, but they neglect things that are obligatory upon them.

The Shaykh : Second, what should be pointed out is that some people observe i'tikaf, which is a recommended practice (sunnah), while neglecting things that are obligatory upon them. For example, a person who is an employee might leave his job to observe i'tikaf, or a person who has a family that needs care might leave them to come and observe i'tikaf. This is undoubtedly an error and poor conduct, because it is not fitting for a believer to leave an obligation and perform a recommended practice. A believer must be a person of sound judgment (faqih), starting with what is more important before what is less important, and with what is important before what has no importance. This is what I wanted to clarify regarding i'tikaf. As for its etiquettes and conditions, questions about it have been frequent, and we have answered them in the past.