A short voluntary i'tikaf; making the intention of i'tikaf in words

Question

Can a voluntary i'tikaf also be for an hour or half an hour, or not? And if it can, what intention should one make when going to the mosque, that is, upon entering it, so that one receives the reward of i'tikaf daily? Please explain how to make the intention in words.

Answer

He should enter the mosque with this intention: “For as long as I stay in the mosque, I am in i'tikaf for Allah.” That is all: for as long as he remains there he will receive the reward of i'tikaf, whether he stays a full hour, or more or less.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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