I`tikaf is done in the Masjid where you can pray in congregation. The Muslim must be fasting. This Sunnah is done while observing the fasting of Ramadan. It must also be consecutive. It must not be that you do one day today and you break it to continue tomorrow and the likes. If you planned or intended to do three days, it must be:

1.Deliberate breaking of ones fast invalidates your I’tikaf. You must be conscious of your fast as you seclude yourself for Allah. The whole essence of I’tikaf is to get closer to God.

2. Falling sick during I’tikaf invalidates your I’tikaf. Your health and the health of others is very paramount. Islam holds very important the health and safety of all. If you become sick during I’tkaf, you have to move out of the masjid, get treatment outside and immediately you become well, return to the masjid to complete your I’tikaf.

It is very important to note that delay is not accepted here, whether at the point of becoming sick (to move out of the masjid) or return immediately to the masjid at the point you are certify okay by the doctor, otherwise the whole effort will be rendered invalid.

3. There should be no sexual intercourse or anything related to it.

4. The coming of the menstrual circle automatically invalidates I’tikaf. Concerned women have to leave the masjid immediately. She can only return immediately it stops; as the case with sickness above.

Other area of note that may invalidate I’tikaf is discussion of worldly matters during I’tikaf such as politics, business and other mundane issues. Instead, the Mutakif is expected to be immersed in the reading of the Holy Quran.

Recitation of the Quran with reflection, contemplation, and fervor, remembrance of Allah SWT in all forms and manners, listening to inspiring lectures about the deen and gaining beneficial knowledge, of course your regular salat and devotion and making a lot of dua are what you can engage yourself in during I’tikaf.

When you isolate yourself from all worldly aspects and go knocking at Allah’s door, there is no doubt that He will answer you and open the doors for you.

However, attending a Janazah (Funeral), visiting a sick person or leaving for any emergency is permissible but it must be solely for that and do not take advantage of that permissibility, Allah sees and knows everything.