How to make the intention to fast?
Answer:
It is necessary to make an intention to fast, but intention does not mean uttering any specific words with the tongue, but rather making the intention in the heart that I will fast tomorrow. Intention is related to the heart and arises automatically when a person makes a firm intention to fast.
Allah says in the Quran: And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allah, making religion sincere to Him.
(Surah Al-Baynah, verse 5)
This verse clarifies the condition of sincerity in every act of worship, including fasting. That is, intention means having a sincere intention for Allah, not uttering any specific words with the tongue.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, actions are by intentions, and every person will get what he intended.”
(Sahih Bukhari, 1)
This hadith is evidence that intention is essential for every act of worship, whether it is prayer or fasting, to be valid.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The difference between us and the fasting of the People of the Book, that is, the Jews and the Christians, is the fast of Suhoor. We eat Suhoor and they do not.”
(Sahih Muslim, 1096)
This hadith shows that the person who is eating Suhoor is actually intending to fast, because the purpose of eating Suhoor is to fast.
- Intention is the intention of the heart, it is not necessary to say specific words with the tongue.
- If a person eats Suhoor or intends to fast before going to bed, this is the intention.
- For optional fasts, if one has not eaten or drunk anything after Fajr and one makes up one's mind during the day, the fast is valid.