www.fatwa-online.com
Question: Does i’tikaaf have a fixed time or is it restricted to Ramadhaan, or is it permissible in other than Ramadhaan?
Response: What is prescribed is that it should be in Ramadhaan only. This is because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu alayhe wa sallam) did not make i'tikaaf in other than Ramadhaan, except what he (sal-Allaahu alayhe wa sallam) did in Shawwaal, after having left doing i’tikaaf in Ramadhaan one year, and so did it in Shawwaal. Yet if a person was to make i’tikaaf in other than Ramadhaan it would be permissible, because 'Umar (radhi-yallaahu 'anhu) asked the Prophet (sal-Allaahu alayhe wa sallam) saying: "I vowed to do i'tikaaf for a night or a day in the Masjid al-Haraam." The Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu alayhe wa sallam) said: “Fulfil your vow.”
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
woman performing i’tikaaf at home
**
Question:** Is it permissible for a woman to perform i’tikaaf at the place of prayer in her home?
**
Response:** No. If a woman wishes to perform i’tikaaf, then she should do so in a masjid, so long as there is no danger in that (such as free-mixing and complacency regarding the hijaab, etc). (However), if there is any danger in that, then she should not perform i’tikaaf.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
Specifying a particular day for i’tikaaf
**
Question:** Is it permissible for one who wishes to perform the i’tikaaf to specify a particular day itself for i’tikaaf?
Response: It is not for him to specify a particular day itself within which to regularly perform i’tikaaf, rather, he should take care to perform i’tikaaf in the last ten (days and nights) of Ramadhaan in accordance with (the guidance of) the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).
And with Allaah lies all success, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
“I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)”
(11:55-56)