I am approaching you for information regarding I‘tikāf that is done in the last days of Ramadān. I want to do it but I do not have the proper information regarding its start and end. Can women observe this worship at their homes?
I‘tikāf is a very special form of worship. The essence of this ritual is to devote ones self to the Almighty by praying, reading the Qur’ān and remembering Him through His attributes. It is optional and carries great reward. Fasting is a pre-requisite for I‘tikāf. Muslims normally undertake it in the holy month of Ramadān.
Ideally, a Muslim woman should sit in I‘tikāf in a mosque. However, if that is not possible, she can observe this ritual in a secluded part of her house. The maximum length is that which begins on the 20th of Ramadān at sunset and ends with the sighting of the moon whether this occurs on the 29th or the 30th. I‘tikāf can be observed for lesser period and preferably the length should not be less than one night.