What is the authenticity of the hadith: “Whoever observes i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for a day seeking the Face of Allah the Exalted, Allah will place three trenches between him and the Fire…”?

The questioner : He says: He cited a hadith here. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And the most correct version is “three trenches.” Of course, it is not “three trenches” [in the feminine form] because…

The Shaykh : …“trench” is masculine.

The questioner : …“trench” is masculine, so the number accompanying it is feminized.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner. Al-Tabarani and others narrated it with a good chain of transmission. So what do you say about this hadith in terms of its authenticity or weakness?

The Shaykh : This hadith is from a section of my book that will be printed soon, if Allah wills. It is the first part of “Da'if al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib” (Weak Narrations in Encouragement and Warning); so it is weak.
The student : Weak. Another question.
Another student: So it seems that nothing has been authenticated regarding the virtue of i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque).

The Shaykh : Because the only narration mentioned regarding encouragement [of i'tikaf] is this hadith.

The questioner : Another hadith: A man is married and lives in a residence separate from his father. Is it permissible for him to pay his zakat al-fitr (the alms given at the end of Ramadan) and his wealth’s zakah (the obligatory alms) on behalf of his parents or his needy brothers?

The Shaykh : He may do so. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the son: Yes.
The student : The question is about…
Another student: No, it is the question.
The student : Repeat it once more.