Is intention required in voluntary fasting?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is the intention for fasting only for the obligatory fast, or is it obligatory for both the obligatory and the voluntary fast?

Answer:
The intention is required for both, because voluntary fasting is an act of worship, and worship is not valid without intention. However, voluntary fasting differs from obligatory fasting, because for the obligatory fast, one must intend to fast from the night. One must intend to fast during the night, and the dawn must break while one is intending to fast. There is no fast for one who did not intend to fast from the night. As for the voluntary fast, it is permissible to wake up having not eaten, and then during the day, to decide to fast. This is permissible. It is permissible for the intention in the voluntary fast to be delayed, provided that one has not consumed anything that breaks the fast after the dawn. Yes.