[Q 554] Ruling on I’tikaf During Haidh

QUESTION:

If an Islamic sister is observing I’tikaf in the last ten days, and during this period her I’tikaf breaks due to the onset of haidh (menstruation), can she leave the place of I’tikaf? And since the I’tikaf broke due to haidh (menstruation), how should she perform its qada (make-up) later?

ANSWER:

During the last ten days of Ramadan, if a woman is observing I’tikaf (spiritual retreat) and she begins to experience haidh (menstruation), then her I’tikaf will break. When the I’tikaf no longer remains valid, there is no need for her to stay in the place of I’tikaf; she may leave that place.

Furthermore, in the mentioned situation, when the I’tikaf breaks due to haidh (menstruation), she must later perform the qada (make-up) of one day (while in the حالتِ روزہ – state of fasting). It is not Wajib (obligatory) to make qada of the entire ten days.

It is stated in Bahar-e-Shari‘at: The qada of I’tikaf is not only necessary when it is broken deliberately, but even if it is left due to an excuse—for example, a person falls ill—or it breaks without one’s choice, such as when a woman experiences haidh (menstruation) or nifas (postnatal bleeding), or prolonged insanity or unconsciousness occurs—in all these cases, qada is Wajib (obligatory). … As for I’tikaf Masnoon (Sunnah), which was observed for the last ten days of Ramadan, if it is broken, then only the day on which it was broken must be made up; it is not Wajib (obligatory) to make qada of all ten days.

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, excerpted, Volume 1, Part 5, Pages 1028–1029, Maktabatul Madinah, Karachi)

Answered by Usman Madani (Ask Mufti scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 21st February 2026.