Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) said,
‘Whenever a person goes to the mosque, wether it be for salah or otherwise, and he makes an intention for voluntary i’tikaf (seclusion), he will receive its reward as long as he remains in the mosque. ‘
#50, p 127
The reminder engraved on the left pillar when entering the Masjid e Nabawi (علی صاحبہا الف الف صلوہ و السلام) from Salaam Gate, as shown in the photo above has been removed for unclear reasons.