Is it obligatory to repeat the intention for fasting each day of Ramadan or does making it once suffice for the entire month?

Making the intention to fast Ramadan once on the eve of the first day of the month is sufficient. The fast of a Muslim is valid even if the intention is not made. However, if possible, it is preferable to make the intention every night as this is the general principle.

The intention is a very important aspect in Islam; it is what determines the goal, direction, and purpose of a person in many matters. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended. So, whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, their emigration is for Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated for something of this world or to marry a woman, their emigration is for that for which they emigrated” (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim).

In the context of the fast of Ramadan, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever does not make the intention to fast before dawn, their fast is not valid” (recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, al-Nisa`i, and Ibn Majah). The locus of intention is the heart; it is not necessary to utter it. According to various scholarly opinions, the intention for fasting is either a rukn (pillar) or a shart (condition). Some scholars are of the view that the intention must be renewed before dawn of each day of Ramadan by saying, “I intend to fast tomorrow as part of Ramadan.” Scholars from some schools of jurisprudence hold that the minimum requirement for making the intention is knowing in one’s heart that one will fast the next day as part of Ramadan. If one forgets to make the intention during the night, according to them, it may be made any time from sunset up until just before the halfway point of the fasting hours, when the remaining portion of the fast is longer than what has elapsed. 

In Maliki jurisprudence, a single intention suffices for any fast that must be observed consecutively, such as the fast of Ramadan. Based on this, if one is able to make the intention each night, one has adhered to the default and more recommended position. However, if one fears forgetfulness or neglect, one may make the intention on the eve of the first day of Ramadan to fast the entire month solely for the sake of Allah Almighty. The Hanafis, on their part, do not stipulate making the intention for the month of Ramadan on the grounds that it is an obligatory fast; therefore, as long as one observes the fast by refraining from eating and drinking, one’s fast is considered valid.

 

And Allah Almighty knows best.