What is the ruling regarding hesitation in performing an obligatory fast, or wavering in the intention for it, such as in a make-up fast, a fast in fulfillment of a vow, or an expiatory fast?

Jurists stipulate that the intention for fasting must be firm and free from hesitation or wavering, as it has been prescribed to distinguish between various levels of worship, such as distinguishing an obligatory fast from a voluntary fast or a make-up fast. Ultimately, the matter rests entirely on the intention.

The intention must be specified and firmly established to remove both hesitation about undertaking the fast itself or wavering in its specification, especially in the case of obligatory fasts such as make-up fasts, fasts in fulfillment of a vows, or expiatory fasts. For example, a person may have some missed fast-days of Ramadan and intends to fast the following day, but then wavers between intending it as a make-up fast or a voluntary one. The majority of scholars state that such specification is required, and that any wavering does not fulfill the obligation.[1]

 

The ruling

In obligatory fasts, such as make-up fasts, expiatory fasts, and fasts in fulfillment of vows, the intention must be specified and firmly resolved. Any hesitation about fasting itself or wavering in its specification, invalidates the fast and does not fulfill the obligation.

And Allah Almighty knows best.