I am confused about when do I go for I’tikaf in my masjid? 19th night or 20th day?

Question:

I am confused about when do I go for I’tikaf in my masjid? 19^th night or 20^th day?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

I’tikāf is the religious retreat in the mosque for the last ten days of Ramadhan (i.e last ‘asharah). The last ‘asharah starts from the beginning of 21^st day of Ramadhan. Since in islam the night precedes the day, the night of 21^st of Ramadhan starts with the sunset of 20^th of Ramadhan.

Hence to complete your I’tikāf, you should make sure that you are in your designated masjid before the fast of 20th finish. If you are not able to go to the mosque by the sunset or Iftār of 20th fast, your sunnah I’tikāf will not be fulfilled. [1]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca