If one vows to observe I'tikaf for thirty days without specifying nights or days, is sequence required?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of I'tikaf
Primary text
According to one view, sequence is obligatory, and the nights falling between those days are included, similar to vowing a full month. If sequence is not required, nights are only included if intended. If sequence or conditionality is intended, nights are included. The opposing view is that sequence is not obligatory for an unqualified commitment of thirty days, as absolute days can be fulfilled without sequence, similar to vowing thirty days of fasting.
Supporting text
Another view dictates that for every day vowed, a corresponding night must be included, based on Quranic usage where days and nights are counted distinctly but linked in oaths. The preferred view is that nights are only included as followers of the days if sequence is implicitly or explicitly required, and only the nights separating the vowed days are included.