Time of I'tikaf

**Pillar:** - Staying in the mosque for a period of time is the pillar of i'tikaf - Without staying in the mosque, i'tikaf does not exist **Minimum Duration:** - Scholars differed on the minimum - **Correct opinion:** No minimum limit - Valid for any amount of time, even brief - However, preferred: at least one day or night - Because the Prophet ﷺ and his companions are not reported to have done less **Best Time:** - The last ten nights of Ramadan - **Hadith of Aisha:** "The Prophet ﷺ used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan until he passed away" [Bukhari & Muslim] - I'tikaf at other times is permissible but less virtuous **For Last Ten Nights:** - Enter: After Fajr prayer on the morning of the 21st - Exit: At sunset on the last day of Ramadan