رَبِّ ابْنِ لِى عِندَكَ بَيْتاً فِى الْجَنَّةِ
'My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Jannaah'
(At-Tahreem 66:11)


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Intention: Prerequisite for fasting or not?


Question: Sometimes I fast without making my intention at the beginning of the fast. So is the intention a condition everyday when fasting or is making it in the beginning of the month sufficient?

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fowzan (hafithahullah — may Allah preserve him) answered: Fasting and other than it from actions must be based upon an intention. The Prophet said, “Indeed actions are by intentions, and for ever man is what he intended.” And in another narration, “Actions are not except by the intention.”

So, it is obligatory for the fasting in Ramadhan to have a Niyya (intention) from the night so that you’ve made your intention when the sun rises for your fast of that day. The Muslim waking up in the last part of the night and eating Suhoor (pre-fasting meal) proves their intention. Therefore it is not necessary for a person to verbalize, “I intend to fast”, for this is an innovation and not permissible.


The Niyya in Ramadhan is every individual day because every independent Ebadah (act of worship) requires a Niyya. So, the intention is made with the heart every day at night. Even if someone were to make his Niyya at night then sleep and not wake up until after Fajr his fasting is correct because he made his intention from the night.

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