The Power of Intention in Ramadan
Ramadan is more than going without food, drink and desires, but a path to purification and devotion. Central to this journey is Niyyah (intention), the silent but potent resolve that kicks up a regular fast to a fast with worship.
Unlike other acts of worship, such as praying, fasting is a personal act that is not obvious to anyone except the believer and Allah. That is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ placed so much emphasis on intention and made it clear that fasting is not accepted without Niyyah.
The Meaning of Niyyah in Islam
The Definition
In Arabic, Niyyah refers to intention, purpose, or resolve. In Islamic way, it means to have the firm intention to do any act of worship sincerely for the sake of Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Actions are judged by their intentions, and everyone will be rewarded according to what they intended.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907)
This Hadith also lays a cornerstone of Islam:
- The truthfulness of the intention defines the value of the action.
- No act of worship is valid without an intention.
What this means in Ramadan is that it is not fasting if all that is done is just going without food or drink, it is the intention to fast for the sake of Allah that renders the act ibadah (worship).
The Importance of Niyyah in Fasting
Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim, and intention is a necessary condition for fasting to be valid. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever does not make the intention to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i 2331, Sunan Abi Dawood 2454)
There are two main takeaways from this Hadith:
- The intention of fasting should be done before Fajr (dawn).
- Niyyah is less than less, if one does not make it, his fast is invalid.
This exemplifies that Ramadan is not simply about abstaining from food and drink; it is about consciously devoting fasting to Allah with ikhlas and awareness.
How to Make the Intention for Fasting?
Does the Intention Need to Be Verbal?
Some think they need to say it orally, but intention is a heart thing. Niyyah (Intention) A person who wakes up with the intention that he is fasting for Suhoor.
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) explained:
“If a person knows in his heart that he will fast tomorrow, then this is sufficient as an intention.”
So, intention is not something to be vocalised. Rather, it is the inner determination and awareness that I am fasting for the sake of Allah.
When Should the Intention Be Made?
The intention for the fast in Ramadan must be made before Fajr, as everyone knows by the following hadith:
“Whoever does not make the intention to fast before Fajr, his fast is invalid.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i 2331)
The intention for voluntary (Nafl) fasts can be made up to and including after Fajr provided the person has neither eaten, drunk or performed that which breaks the fast. Narrated Miserable by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrated by:
“Do we have any food?” His family replied, “No.” He then said, “Then I am fasting.”
(Sahih Muslim 1154)
This indicates that it is permissible to have Niyyah only in the hearts for optional fasting, however, for the Fast of Ramadan this Niyyah needs to be made before the time of Fajr.
The Spiritual Aspect of Intention in Ramadan
Niyyah as a Means of Sincerity
So the goal of Ramadan is to develop Taqwa (God consciousness), for Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
A sincere intention ensures that our fasting is not done for habit, social pressure, or cultural reasons, but purely for Allah’s pleasure.
The Prophet ﷺ reminded us:
“Fasting is for Me, and I shall reward it personally.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 7492, Sahih Muslim 1151)
Which is why fasting, when undertaken with the best of intentions, delivers us such great rewards, lifting our spirits and cleansing our souls.
The Renewal of Intention: A Daily Act of Worship
Before every night of Suhoor leading into another day of fasting, let us renew our intention fiercely. This simple act:
- Fosters our Imaan with Allah.
- Reminds us to intentionally observe Ramadan instead of just going through it.
- You only live once.
Heartfelt dua (supplication) before sleep / during Suhoor can set this straight:
“O Allah, I intend to fast in Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, so forgive my past and future sins.”
Conclusion: Strengthening Our Niyyah This Ramadan
The niyyah for the fast in Ramadan is more than just a legal mandate, it is the essence of our worship. It is this quality that separates fasting from simply being a state of hunger and deprivation without the divine intention attached to the fasting of Ramadan, one could only be experiencing thirst and starvation, not submission to a higher purpose.
Thus, to make our fast meaningful and accepted, we must:
- Do the intention before Fajr, knowing that we fast for Allah alone.
- So keep the spiritual and pure aspects of Ramadan and avoid distractions.
- Make/renew our Niyyah everyday, treating every fast as a new way to receive Allah’s mercy and rewards.
May it be a month in these days we uphold sincerity upon all deeds, may we not fast except along with doing good in our actions, our prayers, and Quran recitation. Ameen. Treat this blessed month as an opportunity for change and drawing nearer to Allah.
