Ramadhaan & Fasting

Q: When sitting for sunnah i’tikaaf, is it necessary for one to be fasting?

Q: When sitting for nafl i’tikaaf, is it necessary for one to be fasting?

Q: Is it permissible for a man sitting for Sunnah i'tikaaf to use a cell phone to check on his family at home and to see to their needs?

Q: An old lady in my locality gives one plate of food everyday as fidyah. She suffers from sugar and diabetes. She asked whether for her to give this one plate is compulsory or nafl because she is old and not rich so it is taxing on her.

Q: What is the maslah with regard to keeping a nafil fast on a Friday? Also is the ruling different if a qadha fast is kept on a Friday?

Q: The three fast for breaking a qasam have to be fasted together or with intervals?

Q: A relative of mine came from overseas for holiday. The wife carried hot water in a flask for the child's milk. At the airport in England, they asked her to drink the water (to see whether it is really water on something else). She explained that she is fasting. They said either she drinks little of the water or they will have to throw the water away. She therefore drank some of the water. Will she have to keep only qadhaa, or kaffarah as well?

Q: I was reading something on one of the islamic forums on the net. They were talking about their musjid not having facilities for women’s I'tikaaf. When I mentioned that as far as I know, women are supposed to observe I'tikaaf at home, a lady replied: If a woman wishes to perform i'tikaaf, then she should do so in a masjid, so long as there is no danger in that (such as free-mixing and complacency regarding the hijaab, etc). Please explain if this is correct.

Q: I would like to keep all my fast in Ramadhaan. Am i allowed to take a contraceptive pill for the month, to prevent me from getting my period?

Q: As a teenager I had a bad habit of masturbation, which I sincerely and deeply regret. The urge was very strong and I resorted to this sin even in the month of Ramadaan while in the state of Roza. I would keep the fast as usual, i.e have sehri, and abstain from food and drink until the time of iftaar, but on one occasion would commit this heinous sin. May Allah Ta'aala forgive me. Ameen.
This evil continued for approximately 8 - 10 yrs since I became baligh. Thereafter Allah Ta'aala assisted me to refrain from this sin. Alhumdulillah.
It is a source of constant worry for me, and I know that taubah is not enough to eradicate this evil deed. I know there is qadha as well as kaffarah that needs to be kept. I am however perplexed with how to go about this. My concerns are as follows: