So , when close family members sit for Itikaaf … what steps do you take diet wise, comfort wise to ensure they are best catered to?
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
Give lots of dif fluids for hydration(helps alot when constantly doing ibadat), fresh fruits, and a good meal and whatever is made for iftar. Nothing really special I guess 
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
u mean in the masjid? believe me, those mutakaffe'iin eat N drink LOT more than they should...the whole community brings in the best food they can afford to the masjid...after all, they are serving God. we fulfill one sunna and forget the other completely. remember, Huzoor [saws] used to bread fast with one khajoor, would have bare minimum for dinner and then would pray all nigh. what we see mutakaffe'iin do in masaajid during ai'takaaf is mostly sleep and eat...i haven't seen people doing extra 'ibaadat more than an hour or two. this defeats the purpose of sitting in for ai'takaaf.
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
^ the sleeping & eating part is not entirely true.
I wouldn't make anything out of the ordinary. Whatever every one else is eating for Iftar is fine. Best thing is to make sure that the person sitting in aiteqaaf is given food that you know he/she prefers more or customizing their plate. Take care of their dietary needs. If you know that person gets heart burn from certain foods avoid giving it to them. Don't give them extra. We all know how much & what each individual in our family eats. That way they don't go out of their way asking for something, hence concentrating less on eating & more on Ibadat.
Every Iftar give them a fresh jug/pail of water & a clean cup to drink with through out the night. (not applies for people sitting in masjid)
When some one in our family sits for aiteqaaf my mom makes sure to make any one of their favorite dish on Chand raat.
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
^ the sleeping & eating part is not entirely true. ...
how do you know? you, being a female, haven't spent time in masjid with men...have you? i have been in aitakaaf and i see them eat like crazy all the time. i go to mosque regularly and i see those guys in aitakaaf...after iftar most are like gaaye/bakri running to basement for food. :D
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
I would agree to the point that they get the best food , because the whole community wants to take care of them and get sawab out of it. But I would also say whatever activities you do during atekaff eating , sleeping , praying , reading is all ebadaat.
I will agree to this too that there is minimum physical activities during those days so eating light and less is the key to stay in shape and fit for doing all kinds of ebadah.
Re: Taking care of the one sitting for Itikaaf
u mean in the masjid? believe me, those mutakaffe'iin eat N drink LOT more than they should...the whole community brings in the best food they can afford to the masjid...after all, they are serving God. we fulfill one sunna and forget the other completely. remember, Huzoor [saws] used to bread fast with one khajoor, would have bare minimum for dinner and then would pray all nigh. what we see mutakaffe'iin do in masaajid during ai'takaaf is mostly sleep and eat...i haven't seen people doing extra 'ibaadat more than an hour or two. this defeats the purpose of sitting in for ai'takaaf.
KKF bhai: OP is not asking what they do in masjid.