I’tikaf in Ramadan

In the name of Allah who is most gracious most merciful

Itikaf in Ramadan

I’tikaf means to stay in a particular place. However, in Islam it means to stay in a mosque for a particular time period for the purpose of worshiping Allah . Allah draws attention to practicing I`tikaf during the month of the fast. The Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is that he used to perform I`tikaf during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan until he died. Afterwards, the Prophet's wives used to perform I`tikaf.
The sunnah of i’tikaf is that one make its intention and begin the i’tikaf on the evening of the 20th of Ramadan from sunset time and continue until the moon for Eid-ul-Fitr.
To Vow or pledge to make I'tikaaf (on a fixed day) for the sake of Allah upon the fulfilment of some wish or desire. The least duration of a Wajib I'tikaaf is one day and night and it must be accompanied by a fast.
To reside the last ten nights and days of Ramadhaan in the Masjid is Sunnate Muakkadah Alai Kifayah, i.e. If a person from the community fulfils the obligation of I'tikaaf the entire community will be absolved of this sacred duty. Otherwise all the residents will be sinful of neglecting this Sunnat . This I'tikaaf can be for any amount of time, even for a few minutes.
No fast is conditional for Mustahab or Nafl I'tikaaf.The condition for itk'af is that a person should not be mad and to be free from Hadase Akbar.
If a person performs Tarawih at home whilst Tarawih is being performed at the Masjid, he will not be sin­ful. However, if all the neighbours perform their Tarawih alone at home, then all will be sinful because of neglecting the Jama'at.
The time for Tarawih is from after Esha Salaat to a lit­tle before Subha Sadiq. It can be performed before and after the Witr Salaat also.
If one has missed a few Rak'aats of Tarawih and the Imam has commenced the Witr, then this Muqtadi may join for the Witr and complete the remainder of his Tarawih thereafter.
20 Rak'aats with 10 Salaams are Masnoon, i.e. one should have a Niyyat for 2 Rak'aats of Tarawih each time. After every four Rak'aats it is Mustahab to sit a while and take a rest.
One may remain silent or recite the Quran Sharif or Tasbih in a low voice or say Nafl Salaat separately during the period of rest after every four Rak'aats.
Some things are permitted during Itkaff as
eating ,sleeping. discussing matters of deen or necessary talk.
One is Makrooh to observe complete silence as a form of Worship.
One is permitted to leave the musjid for Ghusl,
For Wudhu, to go toilet.Leaving The Musjid without a valid Shar'ee reason will nullify the I'tikaaf.
If one has to leave the mosque to attend to a need, such as to go for toilet or to eat, he is not allowed to come near to his his wife or to busy himself with other than his I`tikaf.
Surah Al-baqra 187
He is not even allowed to visit ailing persons, but he can merely ask about their condition while passing by.
ITKAAF FOR WOMEN
A woman should perform I'tikaaf in her home at the place where she performs her daily Salaat
Tarawih Salaat is Sunnate Mu'akkadah for both, men and women. Women should sit for I’tikaf in that place in the house which has been set aside for Ibadah. If no such place has been previously set aside, then a place must be so set aside anterior to the beginning of I’tikaf. To perform Tarawih with Jama'at is Sunnate Kifayah for men.
It is Makrooh to perform Tarawih sitting if one has the strength of Qiyaam (standing).
While performing Tarawih some do not join the Jama'at from the beginning but join the Imam when he prepares to go into Ruku. This is Makrooh. They should join at the beginning.If one does not get the Jama'at for Farz, he should perform his Farz alone and then join the Jama'at for Tarawih.
It is necessary for a married woman to obtain the permission of her husband for the purpose of performing I’tikaf. Husbands should not without reason deprive their wives of performing I’tikaf by refusing consent.
"The Holy Prophet (PBUH)was shown the lifespans of the people (who had gone) before him, or what Allah willed of that, and it was as if the lives of the people of his community had become too short for them to be able to do as many good actions as others before them had been able to do with their long lives, so Allah gave him Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months."