MASAAL (RULES) PERTAINING TO I'TIKAF

(1) The same rules which apply to a man observing I'tikaf in the Musjid, apply to a woman observing I'tikaf in her place of seclusion at home.
(2) When necessity, e.g. Juma'h Salat in another Musjid, compels the Mu'takif to leave his Musjid, it will be permissible for him to enquire about a sick person or generally engage in good conversation without departing from the road. He must not unnecessarily stop on the road.

WHAT TO DO DURING I'TIKAF

The Mu'takif should engage himself in lbadat to the best of his ability. Nafl Salat, Tilawat, Durood, Istighfar and permanent Thikr in general should be the Mu'takifs occupations throughout the duration of his I'tikaf.
When the Mu'takif speaks,

THE MAKRUHAT OR THE THINGS WHICH ARE DETESTABLE AND NOT PERMISSIBLE FOR THE MU'TAKIF

The Makruhat during I'tikaf are as follows:

(1) To maintain total silence.
(2) To Indulge In idle talk.
(3) To sleep excessively merely to wile away the time.
(4) To unnecessarily pass wind inside the Musjid.
(5) To sew garments or engage in any occupation for a fee.

THE MUBAHAT OR THE THINGS WHICH ARE PERMISSIBLE DURING I'TIKAF

During I'tikaf, the following acts are mubah (permissible):

(1) To eat and drink.
(2) To sleep.
(3) Necessary conversation.
(4) To change clothes and apply perfume and oil.
(5) To cut hair and nails. These should not be allowed to fall in the Musjid.

THE MUFSIDAT OR THE THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE (BREAK) THE I'TIKAF

Only Wajib and Masnoon I'tikaf are rendered invalid. Nafl I'tikaf is not rendered void by any act. It is merely ended by engaging in an act which is not permitted for the Mu'takif.
Unnecessarily leaving the Musjid for even a minute whether intentionally, unintentionally or under compulsion, will invalidate the I'tikaf.

VALID REASONS FOR LEAVING THE MUSJID AND WHICH WILL NOT BREAK THE I'TIKAF

It is permissible to leave the Musjid for the following acts of need:

(1) To answer the call of nature - to go to the toilet.
(2) To pass wind.
(3) To take an obligatory bath.
(4) To make wudhu.

THE VENUE FOR I'TIKAF

(1) For men, I'tikaf is valid in only a Musjid in which Athan and Iqamah are proclaimed for the five daily Salat. In otherwords it has to be a Musjid in which the five daily Salat are performed with Jama't.
(2) Females can observe I'tikaf in a place in their homes, set aside for Salat or specially cordoned off for the purpose of I'tikaf.
(3) It is not permissible for women to come to the Musjid to observe I'tikaf or to perform Salat or to listen to lectures.

SUNNATUL MUAK-KADAH ITIKAF

I'tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadhan is the only Masnoon I'tikaf. This Masnoon I'tikaf is Sunnatul Muak-kadah alal Kifayah. If a few or even just one person observes this I'tikaf in a particular area/neighbourhood, the duty will be discharged on behalf of the entire community of that locality. On the otherhand, if no one observes this I'tikaf

QADHA OF I'TIKAF

(1) Qadha will be made of Nathr and Masnoon I'tikaf. There is no qadha for Nafl I'tikaf.
(2) Qadha of Nathr Muayyan I'tikaf will be made if the I'tikaf was not observed on its specific days or if it was rendered void while observing it.
(3) Masnoon I'tikaf (i.e. the I'tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadhan) will be made qadha if it was rendered void after having commenced it

NATHR I'TIKAF

(1) I'tikaf of Nathr is an I'tikaf undertaken as a result of a vow made to Allah Ta'ala.
(2) The validity of Nathr I'tikaf requires the verbal expression of the Niyyat or intention. It is, therefore, essential to verbally say, for example:
"I am undertaking (or making) I'tikaf for Allah Ta'ala for three days",,
or any other similar statement in which it is declared that I'tikaf has been undertaken or is presently being undertaken. The expression of an intention should not relate to the future, e.g. "It is my intention to perform I'tikaf", etc.

I'TIKAF

(1) I'tikaf means to stay in the Musjid with the niyyat of I'tikaf for the sake of Allah Ta'ala. The purpose of such stay in the Musjid is ibadat and to gain proximity to Allah Ta'ala.

THE TYPES OF I'TIKAF
There are three types of I'tikaf: Wajib, Sunnatul Muakkadah and Nafl.

WAJIB I'TIKAF
An I'tikaf of Nathr and a Qadha I'tikaf are Wajib (compulsory) I'ltikaf.

MASAIL PERTAINING TO SAUM

(1)  Indulgence in futile acts, nonsensical and idle conversation are also negatory of the benefits of Saum.
(2) Fasting acts as a protecting shield for the Sa-im (fasting person) as long as he does not destroy his Saum with sin.
(3) Among the sins which destroy the benefits of Saum, the worst is Gheebat (to speak ill of others in their absence),

WAJIB (COMPULSORY) SAUM

Besides the Saum of Ramadhan, there are other compulsory Saum as well. These are briefly discussed hereunder.
(1) Saum as Kaffarah for Qasam
When a Qasam (oath) has been violated, one of the options of expiation is to fast three consecutive days. On having fasted three days - one after the other - one is absolved of the sin of having violated the oath.

MISCELLANEOUS MASAEL OF RAMADHAN

(1) Saumul-Wisal is Makrooh. Saumul WisaI is to fast the whole year including the forbidden days.
Saumul Wisal according to another authoritative version also means fasting continuously - day after day - throughout the year excepting the forbidden days.

(2) The best method of Nafl fasting is to fast every alternate day. However, due to the physical weakness of most people in this age, Auliya advise abstention from abundance of Nafl Saum.

THE VIRTUES, SIGNIFICANCE AND REWARDS OF SAUM

(1) Rasulullah (Sallallahu AIayhi Wasallam) said:

"He who fasts solely for the sake of Allah Ta'ala, his previous sins are all forgiven".

(2) "The odour of the mouth of a Sa-im (fasting person) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk".

THE SIGHTING OF THE MOON

(1) The Islamic months, being lunar months, commence with the sighting (rooyat) of the crescent moon (hilal). The principle is the sighting of the hilaI, not the birth of the moon.
(2) It is Wajib (obligatory) for the people to search for the hilal at the end of the 29th day of Sha'ban, i.e. at sunset.
(3) if the hilal is not sighted nor is reliable news of the sighting of another place received, the month of Sha'ban should then be completed with 30 days. This is the clear, straight forward and simple instruction of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

THE DAYS WHEN IT IS FORBIDDEN TO FAST

There are five days during the year on which it is forbidden to fast.
These five days are:
The two days of Eid and the three days of Tashreek viz. 11th, 12th and 13th Zil-Haj. (The 3 days following Eid-ul-Adhaa)
Fasting on these days is not valid.
YAUMUSH - SHAKK (THE DOUBTFUL DAY)

FIDYAH AND WASIYYAT

Fidyah is the compensation which has to be paid for the Saum which has not been executed on account of permanent disability, etc.
(1) The Fidyah amount for each compulsory fast not kept is the same as Sadqah Fitr, viz. 2kg bread flour or its cash equivalent or feeding a miskeen (poor person) two full meals for a day.
(2) Unlike Kaffarah, it is permissible to distribute the Fidyah amount among several masakeen (poor persons).

THINGS WHICH PERMIT ABSTENTION FROM SAUM

The following things permit one to refrain from fasting:

(1) Extreme old age which renders a person decrepit.
(2) Sickness. If there is danger to life or if the fast will cause the sickness to deteriorate, it will be permissible to abstain from Saum.
(3) Pregnancy, if the health or life of the mother or child is threatened.

QADHA SAUM

Qadha means to fulfill or to compensate fasts which were not executed when they were due.
(1) It is necessary to make qadha of Saum as soon as possible since one does not know when death will overtake one. While it is not Wajib to make the qadha immediately after Ramadhan or on any other specific day/ s, qadha should not be unnecessarily delayed.
(2) Qadha Saum belongs to the second class of Wajib fasting. For the validity of Qadha Saum it is essential to make niyyat during the night, i.e. before Subah Sadiq.