Intention for Ramadan Fasting: Arabic, Meaning & Fiqh Guide (Asna al-Matalib)

The holy month is approaching. For Muslims, ensuring the validity of worship is a top priority. One of the most fundamental pillars of the Ramadhan fast is intention. Without a correct intention, a person’s fast may be considered invalid and is merely abstaining from food and drink.

Many questions arise every year: What is the correct pronunciation of the intention for the Ramadan fast in Arabic and its meaning? What is the best time to recite it? Is it permissible to make an intention once for the whole month?

This article will thoroughly discuss the procedures for making an intention based on references from the Asna al-Matalib fiqh book by Sheikh Zakariyya al-Anshari, from the Shafi’i school of thought, so that your worship is more steadfast and in accordance with guidance.

The Importance of Intention in the Worship of Fasting

In Shafi’i fiqh, the position of intention is very central. This refers to the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, “Innama al-a’malu bin-niyyat” (Indeed, deeds are dependent upon intention).

Based on the book Asna al-Matalib, the intention for obligatory fasting has specific characteristics that differ from voluntary fasting. The requirements and pillars of the Ramadhan fast require requires the intention to be made with Jazm (certainty) and Ta’yin (specification). This means that your heart must be certain and specifically state that the fast to be performed is the fast of Ramadhan, not just a general fast.

Here is the original wording from the book regarding this obligation:

فصل : ( ويجب ) في الصوم ( نية جازمة معينة ) كالصلاة ولخبر إنما الأعمال بالنيات

(Chapter: And Obligatory) in fasting (a firm and determined intention), as in prayer. Based on the ḥadīth: “Indeed, deeds depend on intention.”

Timing and Procedure for the Intention of Fasting in Ramadan

When exactly is the intention to fast during Ramadan made at the appropriate time? There are two main points you need to consider for the intention to be considered valid: Tabyit and Ta’yin.

1. Tabyit (Intention at Night)

For obligatory fasting (such as Ramadan, Qada, or Nazar), the intention (niat) must be made at night. The time frame begins from sunset (Magrib) until before dawn (Subuh).

If you forget and only intend to fast after the Adhān of Fajr, then the fast for that day is invalid according to the Shafi’i school of thought. This is based on a hadith narrated by Ad-Daruquthni: “Whoever does not make the intention to fast before dawn, then there is no fast for him.”

2. Ta’yin (Determining the Type of Fast)

Simply intending “I will fast tomorrow” is not sufficient. You must specify the type of fast, namely “Fasting in Ramadan.” In your heart, it must occur that tomorrow is the day to fulfill the obligatory fast of Ramadan. This is almost similar to the article about levels of intention in prayer.

Readings and the Formula for the Intention of Fasting in Ramadan

Here is a guide to the intention prayer for the Ramadhan fast and its meaning commonly practiced, ranging from the daily version to the full month version to anticipate forgetfulness.

Daily Intention for the Fast of Ramadan (Obligatory)

This is the standard intention for the Ramadan fast in Arabic that must be uttered (at least in the heart) every night.

Arab:

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ عَنْ أَدَاءِ فَرْضِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانِ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytu sawma ghadin ‘an ada’i fardi shahri Ramadani hadhihi as-sanati lillahi ta’ala.

Meaning: “I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfill the obligation in the month of Ramadan this year, for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.”

In the wording of the book Asni al-Matalib, it is mentioned that the most perfect wording encompasses the mention of “fardu” (obligatory), “this year,” and “for the sake of Allah.” However, if someone only intends, “I intend to fast Ramadan tomorrow,” that is also considered valid.

Intention for a Full Month of Ramadan Fasting (Anticipation)

Many people search for ways to make the intention for fasting Ramadan for the whole month and for a single day at once. In the Shafi’i school of thought, the intention must be renewed every night because each day is considered a separate act of worship.

However, Shafi’i scholars recommend continuing to recite the intention for the full month of Ramadan fasting (following the opinion of the Maliki school) on the first night of Ramadan. The purpose is as an anticipation (backup) step in case we forget the intention for Ramadan fasting one day.

The Formula for the Intention of Fasting the Entire Month of Ramadan in Arabic:

Arab:

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ جَمِيعِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانِ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ تَقْلِيدًا لِلإِمَامِ مَالِكٍ فَرْضًا لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytu sawma jami’i shahri Ramadani hadhihi as-sanati taqlidan lil-Imami Malikin fardan lillahi ta’ala.

Meaning: “I intend to fast the entire month of Ramadan this year by following Imam Malik, as an obligation for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.”

Can Suhoor Replace the Intention?

This is an interesting discussion that is rarely known. Many people ask, how to make the intention for the Ramadhan fast if we are too sleepy and only wake up for sahur? Is eating sahur already considered an intention?

Based on the book Asni al-Matalib, the activity of sahur can be considered as an intention automatically under certain conditions.

The text of the book states:

قوله : ( ولو تسحر ليصوم ) … ( فهو نية إن خطر بباله صوم فرض رمضان ) … ( لا إن تسحر ليقوى )

Meaning: “If he eats suhoor intending to fast… then that is considered an intention if the desire to fast the obligatory Ramadan fast crosses his mind. But it is not sufficient if suhoor is only for the purpose of strengthening the body (without the intention of obligatory fasting in the heart).”

Therefore, if while having the sahūr meal it crosses your mind, “I am eating this so that I have the strength to fast tomorrow in Ramadhan,” then that is already counted as a valid intention. However, if you wake up and eat only because you are hungry without remembering that tomorrow is a mandatory fast, then that is not sufficient. Therefore, in this matter, when having sahūr, the thought of the requirements of the intention for a mandatory fast, such as ta’yin, must be present in their mind, and not simply “I am eating so that I have the strength to fast tomorrow.”

The Issue of Doubt at the Beginning of Ramadan (Days of Doubt)

Confusion often arises on the 30th of Sha’ban, whether tomorrow marks the beginning of Ramadan or not. How should the intention (niyyah) be made?

The book Asna al-Matalib explains that intention must be Jazam (certain). If someone intends with doubt: “I intend to fast tomorrow, if tomorrow is Ramadan then I will fast as obligatory, if not then I will not,” then such an intention is invalid.

Except, if the conviction is based on news from a trustworthy person that the new crescent moon has been sighted (even if there is no official announcement from the isbat confirmation session). If he is certain based on this news and then intends to fast, and it turns out that tomorrow is indeed Ramadan, then his fast is valid.

Summary Table of the Ruling of Fasting Intentions

To help you understand the procedure for fasting during Ramadan regarding intention, here is a concise table summarizing it:

Condition	Ruling	Explanation
Forgetting the Intention at Night	Invalid	Obligatory fasting requires Tabyit (intention at night). Must be made up on another day.
Intending During the Day	Invalid	Only applies to voluntary fasting.
General Intention (“I Intend to Fast”)	Invalid	Must be Ta’yin (specifying the type of fast: Ramadhan).
Eating Sahur	Valid	As long as the intention to fast Ramadhan crosses the mind while eating.
Intention for the Entire Month	Sunnah/Recommended	As a backup (following the Maliki school of thought), but daily intention is still obligatory according to Shafi’i.

FAQ: Questions About the Intention of Fasting

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the requirements and pillars of the Ramadhan fast:

Conclusion

Understanding the intention for the Ramadhan fast deeply will make our worship more meaningful. Let us not allow this annual routine to lose its essence due to negligence in fundamental matters such as intention.

Make sure every night after the Tarawih prayer or before going to sleep, you recite the intention. As a safety measure, also practice the intention to fast for the entire month of Ramadan on the first night to guard against the possibility of forgetting. May our fasting worship this year be accepted by Allah SWT.