Do I have to make an intention to fast every night?
It depends on the school, but it's much easier than it sounds. Most scholars say each Ramadan day needs its own intention, while the Maliki school says one intention at the start of the month is enough. Either way, the intention is in your heart, and simply knowing tomorrow is a fasting day already counts.
What an intention (niyyah) actually is
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Actions are judged by intentions" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1). For fasting, the intention is your decision to fast tomorrow for Allah. It is not a special formula and you don't have to say it out loud. If you set your alarm for suhoor, eat so you can fast, or go to bed thinking "tomorrow is Ramadan", you've made the intention.
Many apps and books give an Arabic sentence to recite. That's optional. Saying it in English, or not saying anything at all, is fine. If you like putting it into words, see Can I make dua in my own words?
Every night, or once a month?
- Shafi'i and Hanbali: each day is a separate act of worship, so you need an intention for each day, made during the night before Fajr.
- Maliki: one intention at the start of Ramadan covers the whole month, as long as the fasting isn't interrupted (for example by illness, travel or a period). After a break, you renew it.
- Hanafi: a daily intention is needed, but for Ramadan it can be made as late as before midday (strictly, before the midpoint of the fasting day), as long as you haven't eaten.
The basis for an intention before dawn is the hadith, "Whoever does not resolve to fast before Fajr, there is no fast for him" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2454). Scholars applied it to obligatory fasts such as Ramadan.
A simple way to cover all views
On the first night of Ramadan, intend to fast the whole month. Then each night, just keep the plan in mind. In practice almost every Muslim does this without thinking, because getting up for suhoor or going to bed early for it is the intention. For timing, see What time do I start and stop fasting in Ramadan?
Voluntary fasts are more flexible
For extra (sunnah) fasts, like Mondays or the Day of Arafah, you can decide in the morning as long as you haven't eaten since Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ once came home, asked if there was any food, and when told there wasn't, said, "Then I am fasting" (Sahih Muslim 1154).
- The intention is in the heart; no words are required.
- Most schools want an intention each night; Malikis accept one for the month.
- Planning to fast or eating suhoor already counts as intention.
- Voluntary fasts can be intended in the morning.
People also ask
What is fidya in Islam?
Fidya in Islam is feeding one poor person for each Ramadan fast you can never make up, paid by the elderly and chronically ill. Here's how much.
Read the full answer →Do I have to make up missed Ramadan fasts?
Yes, missed Ramadan fasts must be made up, one day for each day missed, before the next Ramadan. People who can never fast pay fidya instead.
Read the full answer →Can I fast without suhoor?
Yes, you can fast without suhoor and the fast is valid. Suhoor is a strongly recommended sunnah with blessing, so even water or a date is worth it.
Read the full answer →What if I sleep through suhoor?
If you sleep through suhoor, your fast is still valid. Suhoor is a blessed sunnah, not a condition, so keep fasting and plan a better alarm.
Read the full answer →What if I eat by mistake while fasting?
If you eat by mistake while fasting, your fast is still valid. Stop, spit it out and carry on. The hadith, the Maliki view and mistakes about timing.
Read the full answer →