1- If the period of i'tikaf has not been specified and one goes out of the mosque without intending to go back, his i'tikaf is broken and he has to re-new the intention if he wants to do a i'tikaf. (pa:313 )

However, if one goes out for an excuse with the intention of coming back (to his i'tikaf) then there is no need for him to re-new the intention.

2- If the i'tikaf is determined by an absolute period, without intending continuity, then if one goes out for some genuine need, he is not required to re-new his intention when he comes back.

However, if he goes out for some other reason, he must renew the intention when he comes back.

3- If one specifies i'tikaf with a period and stipulates continuity then if he goes out for an excuse, he need not renew the intention when he comes back.

The following excuses do not break the continuity:

-a- Going out of the mosque to eat or drink if food or water are not available in the mosque, or going out to go to the bathroom or perform ghusl from janaba.

Aisha (G. p. H) said: "The Messenger of Allah (P. B. U. H) used to put his head through to me, while he was in the mosque, and I would comb and oil his hair.

He used not to enter the house, when he was in i'tikaf, except for a

need".'

[Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, The Book of Spiritual Seclusion, Chapter 3/1925].

However, one is not permitted to stay outside the mosque beyond the

fulfilling of his need.

-b- Going out of the mosque to an attached minaret to call for prayer if the person in i'tikaf is a regular muezzin and people are used to his voice and he is used to going up the minaret.

Otherwise his i'tikaf will be nullified.

-C- Going out to receive penalty for a felony one did not admit to doing.

-d- A woman going out to spend the period of idda not caused by her.

-e- Going out to give testimony (in a court) that one is obliged to bear and perform.

-f- Going out of the mosque because of an illness that makes it difficult for one to stay in the mosque, such as needing someone to nurse him, a doctor to treat him, or if he fears polluting the mosque if he is afflicted with diarrhea or vomiting.

A slight illness such as headache or fever is not regarded as an excuse for going out of the mosque.

-g- Going out of the mosque because of menstruation if the period of i'tikaf cannot exclude it, such as it being longer than fifteen days.

-h- Going out of the mosque because of unconsciousness.

If the unconscious person stays in the mosque, the period of his unconsciousness is counted in the period of i'tikaf.

This is unlike insanity, the period of which is not counted because the person is no longer accountable for worship.

-I- Being wrongfully forced out of, or forgetfully leaving, the mosque. Ibn Umar (G. p. H) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (P. B. U. H) said:

"Allah (G. B. H) has forgiven my nation's error, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do".

[Ibn Maja, Vol. 1, The Book of Divorce, Chapter 16/2045].

When the excuse, that does not break the continuity of i'tikaf, is over one should go back without renewing one's intention.

If he delays going back, the continuity will be broken, and it is no longer possible to build upon the past period and it is obligatory to re-start with a new intention. (pa:314 )

One must make up for time spent in things other than fulfilling a need, going to, and coming from the place where the need is.