Question:
A person was performing sunnah itikaf during the last 10 days of Ramadan. He broke his itikaf after 8 days due to illness.
• Does he have to make qada for the Itikaf?
• If so, for how many days, 2 days or 10 days?
• If qada is necessary, is it required to be in Ramadan or can it be at any time in the year?
Answer:
Assalamu Alaikum,
When one breaks his Sunnah itikaaf, then his itikaaf automatically becomes a nafl itikaaf. As such, the Fuqaha (jurists) have stated that it will not be necessary for him to make Qaza of the entire 10 days. It will be sufficient for him to make one day’s itikaaf as Qaza. He can so in Ramadhan or out of Ramadhan. While doing the Qaza of the itikaaf, the person should observe one day of optional fast. (Fathul Qadeer vol. 2 pg. 393; Kitabul Fatawa vol3 pg. 450; Ahsanul Fatawa vol.4 pg.511)
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan