Can the One Observing I’tikaaf Leave the Mosque?

Answer By Dr Zakir Naik,There’s no limit as far as the period of Ietikaaf is concerned. You can offer Ietikaaf for a short period or for long period, for a short while, the majority of the scholars agree it can even be done for a short while, even for one hour, as Ibn Hazm (may Allah be pleased with him), he said that Ietikaaf can be done for one hour. But there are certain scholars who say that Ietikaaf should be done minimum for one day, or for days and they say this one hour is actually a period, doesn’t refer to a day. But the majority of the scholars agree it can be done for a short time, for one hour, for a day, for few days, for a week, for ten days, for a month, it depends upon the person. There is no limitation as far as the period is concerned