THE INTENTION TO FAST DURING RAMADAN Ocia1205
THE INTENTION TO FAST DURING RAMADAN
    For the fast of Ramadan to be valid, one has to make up one's mind, or formulate the intention, during the night of the day he will fast.

    Hafsa reported that the Prophet said: "whoever did not make up his mind to fast before dawn, then his fast is not valid".

    The intention is an act of the heart; it is not necessary to utter it; it is enough to harbour it. The Prophet said: "Acts are judged by the intentions prompting them".

    Commenting on the hadith reported by Hafsa, al-Shukani said that it makes it necessary to formulate the intention to fast at any time of the night and that it is necessary to renew the intention every day of fasting.

    The intention is essential only in the fard (obligatory fasting). It could be formulated during the day in the tatawwu' (i.e. voluntary) fast.