The mere intention to perform an act does not obligate the act itself. So if a person intends to fast on Monday and Thursday but does not fast, he owes nothing. Likewise, if he begins...

The questioner : The questioner says: I intended in my heart to fast every Monday and Thursday of the week, but on one Thursday I fasted until just before sunset and was unable to complete the day, so I broke my fast that day. First, is there anything required of me in that? And secondly, is it obligatory for me to fast every Monday and Thursday, given that I did not make a vow to do so?

The Shaykh : The mere intention to perform an act does not obligate the act itself. So if a person intends to fast on Monday and Thursday but does not fast, he owes nothing. Likewise, if he begins fasting and then stops, he owes nothing in that case either, because voluntary fasting, as we mentioned recently, does not require completion. Even if a person intends to give charity with money and sets that money aside, he is not obligated to give it in charity, for the intention has no effect in such matters. Based on this, we say to the brother questioner: It is not obligatory for you to make up the Thursday on which you broke your fast, nor is it obligatory for you to continue fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you do so, it is better, because it is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.