Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, was asked, “Does someone who is performing i’tikaaf negate its spirit by seeking knowledge?” He replied, “There is no doubt that seeking knowledge is obedience to Allaah the Most High, but i’tikaaf is for specific forms of worship like prayer, dhikr, reciting the Quraan and things like that.”

Ash-Sharh al-Mumti, vol. 6, p. 501.