What Is the Meaning of Iʿtikāf?

 It is considered sunnah to perform i’tikāf for ten full days, these ten often being the last of the month of Ramadan; any ten consecutive days, however, may be chosen. I’tikāf may also be observed for three full days, often the 13th through the 15th of Ramadan, or for a full day from sunset to sunset, in each case supererogatorily. The shortest i’tikāf, also considered supererogatory, can be observed for the duration of time between two daily prayers (such as from Asr to Maghrib).