Dear Safarfriendly friends, Ramadan is a special moment that we always look forward to. This month full of mercy, forgiveness, and blessings is the best time to improve ourselves and draw closer to Allah SWT. One of the main practices during this holy month is fasting. However, before performing the fast, there is one important thing that we must not forget, namely the intention to fast during Ramadan.
In Islam, intention is not merely a verbal statement, but a resolve in the heart to perform worship solely for the sake of Allah SWT. So, what exactly is the intention for Ramadan fasting and how is it done correctly? Let’s discuss it together.
The Importance of the Intention for Ramadan Fasting
Friends at Safarfriendly, intention is what distinguishes worship from ordinary habits. Without intention, our fasting may only be an activity of enduring hunger and thirst.
The Prophet Muhammad said that every deed depends on its intention. This means that the quality of our Ramadan fasting is greatly determined by the sincerity and earnestness of our intention in our hearts.
In Ramadan fasting, the intention is made at night before dawn. Most scholars agree that the intention must be renewed every night for obligatory fasts like Ramadan.
The Recitation of the Intention for Ramadan Fasting
The following is the common intention for fasting during Ramadan:
Arabic:
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ عَنْ أَدَاءِ فَرْضِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Latin:
Nawaitu shauma ghadin ‘an adā’i fardhi syahri Ramadhāna hâdzihis sanati lillāhi ta‘ālā.
Meaning:
“I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfill the obligation in the month of Ramadan this year for Allah Ta’ala.”
Safarfriendly friends, keep in mind that the most important thing is the intention in your heart. Reciting the intention as above is sunnah as a form of affirmation and helps bring awareness before fasting.
Time for the Intention of Ramadan Fasting
The correct way to make the intention to fast is to do so at night, starting from after sunset (Maghrib time) until before dawn (Subuh time).
This means that you can make the intention after Tarawih prayer, before sleeping, or when waking up for suhoor. Even when waking up for suhoor with the intention to fast, that already counts as the intention.
However, to be more at ease and not forget, it is advisable to make the intention before sleeping or during suhoor.
The Method of Fasting During Ramadan
In addition to understanding the intention of fasting during Ramadan, it is also important to know how to do it properly so that our worship is more perfect.
1. Suhoor
Suhoor is a highly recommended sunnah. The Prophet said that there is blessing in suhoor. Safarfriendly friends are encouraged to delay suhoor until close to imsak or dawn.
No need for fancy food, as long as it provides enough energy for the day.
2. Abstaining from Things That Invalidate Fasting
Fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset. During this time, we must abstain from:
- Eating and drinking intentionally
- Marital relations during the day
- Intentional vomiting
- Other things that invalidate fasting
However, Safarfriendly friends, fasting is not just about abstaining from hunger and thirst. We also need to guard our speech, gaze, and heart from things that can reduce the reward of fasting, such as gossip, anger, and idle talk.
3. Increase Worship
Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. In addition to maintaining your intentions, fill your days with recitation, remembrance, charity, and sunnah prayers such as Tarawih and Witir.
The more we fill Ramadan with goodness, the sweeter our faith will feel.
4. Breaking the Fast
When the sun sets, break your fast immediately. The Prophet recommended breaking the fast with something sweet like dates, or plain water if dates are unavailable.
Don’t forget to recite the breaking-fast prayer and maintain proper eating etiquette to avoid overeating.
If You Forget Your Intentions at Night
Safarfriendly friends may ask, what if you forget your intentions at night?
According to some scholars, if you truly forget and only remember after dawn, then your fast is invalid and must be replaced on another day. Therefore, it is important to make it a habit to set your intentions every night so that you don’t miss it.
Making Fasting More Meaningful
The intention for Ramadan fasting is not just a formality. It is a spiritual foundation that makes our worship valuable in the eyes of Allah. When we have sincere intentions, every feeling of hunger becomes a reward, and every feeling of thirst becomes an eraser of sins.
Safarfriendly friends, let’s make Ramadan a moment of change. Start with the right intention, follow the proper procedures, and end with the hope of receiving Allah SWT’s blessing.
May Allah accept our fasts, strengthen our intentions, and reunite us with Ramadan in a state of better faith.
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