In Ramadan, the imam says, "I intend to fast tomorrow for the month of Ramadan," and the worshippers behind him repeat it. What is the ruling?

Question:
They say that in Ramadan, after the 'Isha' prayer, the imam repeats, and they repeat behind him, "I intend to fast tomorrow for the blessed month of Ramadan." What is the ruling on what they do, given the situation you described to me regarding your times?

Answer:
There is no doubt that worship, whether it is this or anything else, requires intention, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) And He said:
And they said, and it is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he verbalized the intention, neither in fasting nor in anything else. As for what is reported regarding the mention of the mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) during the state of ihram, and the mention of the mushrik at the beginning of the hady (sacrificial animal) and the udhiyah (sacrifice), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say, "O Allah, this is from You, and You do not accept from me." Similarly, during the state of ihram, the one in ihram explicitly states the type of pilgrimage he intends, saying, "Labbaik Allahumma 'Umrah" (Here I am, O Allah, for 'Umrah), or "Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan" (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj), or "Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan wa 'Umrah" (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj and 'Umrah), or "Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan wa 'Umrah Mutamatti'an biha" (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj and 'Umrah, combining them). That is not a condition for Hajj, but it is from the category of what is recommended (mustahabb). Apart from these two exceptions, it is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or from that they said, "I intend to pray," "I intend to fast," "I intend to perform tawaf (circumambulation) of the House," or anything else. All of this is from the newly invented religious innovations (bid'ah). And if this takes the form mentioned by the questioner, where the imam raises his voice with the intention and the ma'mum (worshippers behind him) repeat it, then this is an open religious innovation, a public bid'ah, and its condemnation is severe. This was not from the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor from the way of his Companions, nor from the way of the Salaf (earliest generations) of the Ummah (Muslim community). May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.