Praise be to Allah. “The intention (niyyah) means resolving to fast. It is essential to have the intention the night before, night by night, in Ramadan .” (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, vol. 10, p. 246) Fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, an act of worship that strengthens faith and brings Muslims closer to Allah. However, beyond the physical abstention from food and drink, the essence of fasting lies in the intention (niyyah). How to formulate the intention to fast in Ramadan. Therefore, while fasting the month of Ramadan, we must resolve in our minds firmly that we are fasting the days of Ramadan as an act of worship, and so long as we have done so in our minds, we have fulfilled the intention requirement. Can you define the acceptable intention of fasting? Is it necessary to formulate the intention to fast every single day of Ramadan, or is it enough to make the intention to fast the whole month in the beginning? According to the verse, a Muslim cannot skip the fast of Ramadan unless he/she is sick or on a journey. Therefore, witnessing the month of Ramadan itself is the intention (niyyah) of a Muslim to fast. Understanding the rules, exemptions, and intentions (Niyyah) for fasting is essential for a meaningful Ramadan experience. As Muslims embark on this spiritual journey, they strive to uphold the integrity of their fasts and engage in acts of worship, reflection, and charity. Simply having the intention to fast tomorrow should be sufficient. To perform a particular act that’s done to please Allah SWT alone is one of the most beloved acts. With that being said, there is one dua which is recorded Jami At-Tirmidhi 3451 upon seeing the crescent moon which would signal the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is essential to make the intention to fast the month of Ramadan at night, before Fajr. It is not sufficient to start fasting it that day without the intention. The Shafi`is, Hanafis and a group of Hanbali jurists are of the opinion that one has to make the intention to fast each day of Ramadan in the preceding night before dawn, and if one has not done so, one is to make up for the fast of that day. Making Niyyat (intention) is necessary for the fast to be valid. The intention does not have to be spoken aloud; it is sufficient to intend it in the heart. For Farz Mu’ayyan (obligatory fasts like Ramadan), Sunnah, and Mustahab fasts, the Niyyat can be made until midday. A person's intention when fasting is to bring him/herself closer to God. The purpose of making an intention before every deed is to remind our inner self and confirm with our verbal intention that we seek the pleasure of God in our all actions. The intention of fasting for a full month of Ramadan. Some scholars allow fasting intentions for a full month at the beginning of Ramadan. This is meant to make it easier for those who may forget to intend every night. Here is a reading of fasting intentions for the whole month: By following the rules of fasting for Ramadan, Muslims maximize their rewards and spiritual growth, making fasting an essential part of Islamic life. 11 Rules of Fasting: What Should You Know for a Valid Ramadan Fast? For Muslims, one of the most significant religious obligations is to fast during the month of Ramadan. It is essential to make the intention to fast the month of Ramadan at night before Fajr. It is not sufficient to start fasting it that day without the intention. Whoever finds out at the time of Duha that today is Ramadan and makes the intention of fasting has to refrain from eating until sunset, and he also has to make up that day. Fasting ends at sunset or with the call of Salatul Maghrib. VALIDITY OF FASTING: The validity of fasting depends on the following: Abstaining from food, liquids and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. The intention to fast must be made every day before dawn. "And I intended to fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan." Intention to Fast Tomorrow in the Month of Ramadan: Step-by-Step Guide "Learn the importance of intention in fasting and how to intend to fast tomorrow, specifically during Ramadan. Get a step-by-step guide and fulfill your spiritual obligation as best as possible." Praise be to Allah. Do you have to say intention for fasting? The Ramadan fast and other acts of worship are not valid unless accompanied by the proper intention. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions, and everyone shall have but that which he intended” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1; Muslim, 1907) The intention must be made ‘before’ the Islamic midday because one needs to fast with the intention for the majority of the day. According to the Sacred Law, this would be akin to fasting the entire day. [Mulla Khusru, Durar al-Hikam Sharh Ghurar al-Ahkam; ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar] What Happens If One Decides Not to Fast? It is a The integrals of fasting are two: The intention; Refraining from those things that nullify the fast; The intention for an obligatory fast; The intention is obligatory to say in the heart and recommended to speak with the tongue. The intention for a fast in Ramadan must: Be made at night; Consist of the type of fast intended (Ramadan) E.g. When the crescent is sighted in your area or country, a niyyat, that is, a silent declaration of intention should be made to fast during this sacred month to attain nearness to Allah (wajib qurbatan ila-Allah). Just like the five daily prayers, the niyyat of fast is obligatory and mental, and so is the case of every deed according to Islam.
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