It is narrated from the wife of the Messenger, Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned the I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) of the last ten days of Ramadan. Upon hearing this, Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) sought permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for I'tikaf, and he granted her permission. She then ordered a tent to be set up for herself, which was erected. After this, Sayyida Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) said to Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to request permission for her as well from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). She obtained permission, so she also ordered a tent to be set up for herself, which was erected. When Sayyida Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her) saw this, she also had her tent set up. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer and turned around, he saw these tents and asked: What is this? The people informed him that these tents had been set up for the I'tikaf of Sayyida Aisha, Sayyida Hafsa, and Sayyida Zainab. Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Is it righteousness that you seek by this? I will not do I'tikaf now. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) returned, and when the month of Ramadan was over, he performed I'tikaf for ten days in Shawwal.

Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that one of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) observed i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), even though she was experiencing istihada (non-menstrual bleeding). She would have yellowish and reddish blood, and sometimes we would place a basin beneath her while she was performing prayer.

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, until Allah Almighty caused him to pass away. Then, after him, his wives also observed i'tikaf.