FASTING - INTENTION

INTENTION

Q.   Is it essential to affirm one’s intention for fasting?

  Yes, intention is a must for fasting. If a person somehow abstains from eating, drinking and sexual pleasures from true dawn till sunset without intention to fast, it will not amount to fasting.

Q.   What maximum time limit is appropriate by which one must affirm the intention?

  For fasts in Ramadhan as well as for vows with the stipulation of day or date as also for Masnun and Nafl fasts the intention to fast may be affirmed either in the night before or in the forenoon of the day (which Shariah starts with true dawn and ends with sunset). For example, if the true dawn breaks at 4 a.m. and the day as recognized by the Shariah lasts fourteen hours, the middle of the day falls at 11 a.m. It is, therefore, necessary to affirm the intention before 11 a.m. on such a day.

In case of the missed fasts of Ramadhan or fasts either of expiation or in respect of vows without the stipulation of time and date, the intention must be affirmed before the break of the true dawn.

Q.   What is the formula for the intention?

  In the case of fasts of Ramadhan or of vows with the stipulation of time or the Masnun and Nafl fasts one is free either to affirm the intention expressly in respect of these fasts or for fasts in abstract or even for Nafl fasts. In any case a fast in Ramadhan will be reckoned as a fast of this month and a fast of vow on a day already appointed by a person will count towards it. In the rest of the days it will be a Masnun or Nafl fast. In case of fasts of expiation or of vows without the stipulation of day as also in respect of the missed fasts of Ramadhan, express intention in respect of these particular fasts must be affirmed.

Q.   Is it essential to express the intention in words?

  Intention means making up one’s mind. To have a resolution in mind is enough. To express it in words is no doubt better. But no harm will come if it is not expressed in words.