1) For women going for 'Umrah: Menstruation does not prevent a women from entering ihram for 'Umrah. She should enter ihram from the meeqat, but she should wait until she becomes pure before doing tawaaf and completing her 'Umrah.
2) The one who is observing i'tikaf can go out for essential things such as relieving himself, ghusl from janabah, and eating if he does not have anyone to bring food. He should not go out unnecessarily even to visit the sick or attend a funeral (unless he stipulated that). From Shaykh al-Barrak: The person in i'tikaf can go out of the door of the mosque to ask for food (or to order it); there is nothing wrong with recieving it in the mosque after that, and paying the worker who brought it, because it is a debt that he owes.
3) The wives of the Prohet (peace be upon him) observed i'tikaf, but a women can only observe i'tikaf with her husband's permission and if the place in the mosque is secure. I'tikaf is invalidated by nenses. If it is not possible for a women to observe i'tikaf, she should do a lot of acts of worship in her house, and she will be rewarded.
4) It is not permissible to miss Fajr prayer for the sake of qiyam al-layl. It is not permissible to omit an obligatory deed for the sake of a nafil deed. Let's strive in these last days to pay attention to both obligatory and nafil actions, so that Allah will love us.
5) According to the correct opinion, one of the reasons why Laylat al-Qadar was concealed and may move among the last ten days is so that one will strive completely every night. A person, hoping that it will be Laylat al-Qadar, will worship properly and offer sincere dua' every night, and wi that will help him through the rest of the year.
6) If a person is too busy or is not able to stand with the Imam for the second qiyam, he should not omit the rest of the prayer. After the first qiyam he may pray by himself or in congregation with his family. He should try to make it long and pray Witr. Do not miss out on the reward!
7) Laylat al-Qadar is blessed and full of virtue. On it the Qur'an was revealed, and it is better than worshipping for 83 years. The decrees concerning the provision and the lifespan of people are transferred from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to the books of the angels, who are safe from the devils and punishment.
8) Laylat al-Qadar is a bright, clear and mild night when angels more numerous than the pebbles come to earth. The sun rises on the following morning weak and red with no rays. The one who spent that night in prayer out of faith and seeking reward is forgiven.
9) When a horse appoaches the end of its race, it does its best. Whoever does his best during the time that remains, Allah will forgive him for what has passed. What matters is ending perfectly even if the start was imperfect.
10) Zakaat al-fitr is purification for a fasting person's shortcomings. Feeding the poor and needy means giving a saa' of the local staple food (approx. 3kg of rice for e.g.), not cash. It is given on behalf of oneself and each of those on whom one is obliged to spend (wife, children, parents-although they may give it on their own behalf). It is mustahabb to give it on behalf of a fetus, but not obligatory. It may be given on the 28th, 29th or 30th of Ramadan. It should be given in the country where one is for Eid.
