Intention of Fasting in Ramadan: Obligatory or Sunnah? Here’s the Explanation!

Redha Sindarotama11 March 2025

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Have you ever been confused in the middle of fasting in Ramadan because you forgot your intention to fast and suddenly thought, “Gosh, is my fast valid today?” It must feel uncomfortable, right? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! There are many people who still feel doubtful about the intention of fasting in Ramadan, whether it is obligatory or just sunnah. Well, so that our fasting is more solid and we can do it with full confidence, let’s discuss more about the intention of fasting in Ramadan!

What is the Intention in Fasting in Ramadan?

Before we discuss further the law of the intention of fasting in Ramadan, it is better for us to first understand what intention is. In Indonesian, intention is interpreted as a desire in the heart to do something. However, intention in fiqh terms is not enough just a desire. Intention is qoshdus syai’ muqtarinan bi fi’lihi, which is a strong determination to do something that occurs at the same time as doing something. While in fiqh terms, a strong determination or desire in the heart before doing is known as ‘azm. This is the difference between intention in Indonesian and intention in fiqh terms.

The application of intention in fasting in Ramadan is also very important, because intention is what distinguishes between worship and ordinary habits. For example, if we only hold back hunger and thirst all day without the intention of fasting, that is not worship. However, if we hold back hunger and thirst with the intention of fasting in Ramadan, then it becomes worship that has a reward. So, it can be said that this intention is the key to making our fast valid and accepted by Allah ﷻ.

Also read: The Virtue of Offering Iftar in the Month of Ramadan

Ruling on Intention to Fast in Ramadan: Obligatory or Sunnah?

Now, let’s discuss the law. Many people are still confused, is the intention to fast in Ramadan obligatory or is it enough to be sunnah so that the consequences will also be different if it is done or not done? According to the Prophet ﷺ, all actions depend on the intention, including fasting. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in a very famous hadith:

الأعمالُ بالنية ولكلّ امرئٍ ما نوى

“All actions depend on their intentions, and (the reward) for each person (depends on) what he intended” (Narrated by Bukhari)

From here we can conclude that the intention in fasting is very important, because this intention determines whether our fast is valid or not. Then, when should the intention to fast be done? Can it be done during the day, or must it be done the night before?

Intention of Fasting in Ramadan?

Before answering that, we need to understand the difference between obligatory and sunnah fasting. For fasting in Ramadan, which is obligatory worship, the intention must be made before dawn. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

منلميجمع الصيامقبلف الفجرِ فلا صيامله

“Whoever does not intend to fast before dawn, then there is no (invalid) fast for him.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Well, for sunnah fasting, the intention of fasting can be done after dawn, as long as he has not done anything that breaks the fast. For example, if we have eaten or drunk in the morning, then the intention of sunnah fasting is no longer valid.

In a hadith of the mother of Aisyah radliallahu ‘anha, she said; One day, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked me: “O Aisyah, do you have food?” Aisyah replied, “No, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Then, I will fast.” [Hadith narrated by Muslim]

So, based on the hadith above, we know that the intention of fasting in Ramadan is obligatory before dawn. If we do not intend before dawn, then our fast will not be valid. This intention must be done by every Muslim who is mukallaf (puberty and sane), because fasting in Ramadan is an obligation that must be carried out.

Also read: The Virtue of Providing Iftar in the Month of Ramadan

The Right Way and Time to Intend to Fast Ramadan

In the Shafi’i School, the intention to fast must be done every day on the eve of Ramadan. Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Bujairimi in his work, Hasyiyatul Iqna’, explains as follows:

message God willing The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is required to have the intention at night for obligatory fasting such as fasting in Ramadan, making up for a fast, or fasting by vow. This is based on the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), ‘Whoever does not have the intention at night before dawn, then there is no fast for him.’ Therefore, one must have the intention to fast every day (in the month of Ramadan) if one looks at the original wording of the hadith.” (Sulaiman Al-Bujairimi, Hasyiyatul Iqna’, juz 2)

However, according to the Maliki School of thought, it is enough for us to intend to fast for the entire month on the first night of Ramadan. So there is no need to renew your intentions every day, because fasting in Ramadan is a single act of worship. (Yusuf Al-Qaradlawi, Fiqh al-Shiyam, p. 84)

Therefore, as a form of caution and anticipation if we forget or fall asleep, we can follow Imam Malik’s opinion to intend for a full month.

Then, as is the opinion of the Syafii School, we also have to get used to always intending to fast every night of the month of Ramadan. Usually this is done after every tarawih prayer or when eating sahur.

The reading of the intention to fast for Ramadan is as follows:

God bless you هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaitu shauma ghadin ‘an ada’i fardhi syahri Ramadhana hadzihis sanati lillahi ta’ala.

Meaning: “I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfill the obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadan this year, because of Allah ﷻ”

Meanwhile, the intention of fasting for a whole month is as follows:

نويت صوم جم؊ع شهر رمضان هذذه السنة فرضًا للّٰه تعالى

Nawaitu shauma jami’i syahri ramadhani hadzihis sanati fardhan lillahi ta’ala.

Meaning: “I intend to fast throughout the month of Ramadan this year by following the opinion of Imam Malik, obligatory because of Allah ﷻ.” (Shafira Amalia, ed: Nashih)

Also read: Moral Lessons from Ramadan Fasting

Khatimah

So, is the intention of fasting in Ramadan obligatory or sunnah? The answer is clear: the intention of fasting in Ramadan is obligatory and must be done before dawn so that our fast is valid. Meanwhile, for sunnah fasting, the intention can be done after dawn as long as we have not done anything that breaks the fast.

By understanding this, we can be calmer in carrying out the fasting in Ramadan. The right intention will make our fasting more meaningful, and of course more accepted by Allah ﷻ. Hopefully this explanation is useful and provides a clearer understanding for all of us.

Also read: Selling Dates is Popular, Business Opportunities in the Month of Ramadan