Is it required that the intention for fasting be made before dawn every night of Ramadan, or is a single intention sufficient for the entire month?
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Question: Is it required that the intention for fasting be made before dawn every night of Ramadan, or is a single intention sufficient for the entire month, and what is the ruling for one who verbalizes it every night of the month of Ramadan?
Answer: The intention is a condition for the validity of worship, whether fasting or otherwise,The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 1 , and no act of worship is valid without intention, including fasting. It is not valid without intention, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2334 . Therefore, intention is required for fasting, and the intention for obligatory fasting must be made at night before the appearance of dawn. It is obligatory for him to make a new intention for each day, because each day is an independent act of worship that requires a renewed intention as the days renew, based on the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 1 . Each day of Ramadan is an independent act of worship that must be specified with an intention, and the intention made at the beginning of the month is not sufficient, unless he renews it every night, remembering it every night and resolving upon it.
As for verbalizing the intention, it is a matter not prescribed. Verbalizing it is a religious innovation, because the intention is among the actions of the heart and purposes that only Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) knows. It is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he used to verbalize the intention, saying: “O Allah, I intend to fast,” or “I intend to pray,” or “I intend such and such.” This was only reported regarding entering the state of ihram for Hajj and 'Umrah,That the Muslim should say: saying, “I intend to enter the state of ihram for 'Umrah,” or “I intend to enter the state of ihram for Hajj.” Likewise, when slaughtering the sacrificial animal for Hajj or the 'Id sacrifice, it was reported that he verbalizes when slaughtering it,And he says: saying, “O Allah, this is for so-and-so, son of so-and-so, so accept it from me, for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” In these two places only: the place of entering the state of ihram for the pilgrimage rites, and the place of the sacrificial animal with which one draws near to Allah by an 'Id sacrifice or a sacrificial animal for tamattu' or qiran, or otherwise. He verbalizes at that time. As for other acts of worship, verbalizing the intention is a religious innovation, whether in fasting, prayer, or otherwise, because it is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he verbalized the intention in any of these situations.And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1718b ،And he said, may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him:Sunan Abi Dawud 4607Sahih (Al-Albani) , and verbalizing the intention during prayer or during fasting, or during other acts of worship, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do this and did not order it, and it becomes a religious innovation.And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Hujurat: 16] .
And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) rebuked those who verbalized,In His saying, the Exalted: [Al-Hujurat: 14] ,Until He said, the Exalted: [Al-Hujurat: 16] .
And verbalizing the intention means that a person informs his Lord (Mighty and Majestic) that he intended such and such for Him, and Allah has forbidden that and rebuked those who did it.
Question: What is the ruling on retracting the intention for voluntary fasting or making up a missed fast before the appearance of dawn?
Answer: Before the appearance of dawn, there is no harm in a person retracting, because he has not started the fast. It is permissible for him to change his mind about fasting that day, and fast in the future?
Answer: The intention is a condition for the validity of worship, whether fasting or otherwise,The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوىWhoever does not have the intention of fasting from the night before, then there is no fast for him.
من لم يبيت الصيام من الليل فلا صيام لهThe reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوىAs for verbalizing the intention, it is a matter not prescribed. Verbalizing it is a religious innovation, because the intention is among the actions of the heart and purposes that only Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) knows. It is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he used to verbalize the intention, saying: “O Allah, I intend to fast,” or “I intend to pray,” or “I intend such and such.” This was only reported regarding entering the state of ihram for Hajj and 'Umrah,That the Muslim should say: saying, “I intend to enter the state of ihram for 'Umrah,” or “I intend to enter the state of ihram for Hajj.” Likewise, when slaughtering the sacrificial animal for Hajj or the 'Id sacrifice, it was reported that he verbalizes when slaughtering it,And he says: saying, “O Allah, this is for so-and-so, son of so-and-so, so accept it from me, for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” In these two places only: the place of entering the state of ihram for the pilgrimage rites, and the place of the sacrificial animal with which one draws near to Allah by an 'Id sacrifice or a sacrificial animal for tamattu' or qiran, or otherwise. He verbalizes at that time. As for other acts of worship, verbalizing the intention is a religious innovation, whether in fasting, prayer, or otherwise, because it is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he verbalized the intention in any of these situations.And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملًا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردAvoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation
إياكم ومحدثات الأمور، فإن كل محدثة بدعةSay, "Would you acquaint Allah with your religion while Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and Allah is Knowing of all things?"
قُلْ أَتُعَلِّمُونَ اللَّهَ بِدِينِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمAnd Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) rebuked those who verbalized,In His saying, the Exalted:
The bedouins say, "We have believed." Say, "You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,'
قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَاSay, "Would you acquaint Allah with your religion while Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth
قُلْ أَتُعَلِّمُونَ اللَّهَ بِدِينِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِAnd verbalizing the intention means that a person informs his Lord (Mighty and Majestic) that he intended such and such for Him, and Allah has forbidden that and rebuked those who did it.
Question: What is the ruling on retracting the intention for voluntary fasting or making up a missed fast before the appearance of dawn?
Answer: Before the appearance of dawn, there is no harm in a person retracting, because he has not started the fast. It is permissible for him to change his mind about fasting that day, and fast in the future?