What is the minimum duration for I'tikaf? And can one perform I'tikaf for a short time, or must it be for several days?

Scholars have differed on the minimum duration for i'tikaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship). The majority of scholars, including Abu Hanifa, Al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad, are of the opinion that its minimum duration is a moment. They based their argument on the linguistic meaning of i'tikaf, which is to reside, and this applies to both long and short periods. Furthermore, there is no textual evidence in Islamic law that specifies a particular duration. This is also supported by the report from Ya'la ibn Umayyah, who used to stay in the mosque for an hour with the intention of i'tikaf. Some scholars, however, held that its minimum duration is one day. Sheikh Ibn Baz, on the other hand, views i'tikaf as staying in the mosque for the obedience of Allah, whether the duration is long or short, as no specific duration has been stipulated by evidence.