Intention (Niyyah)

**Intention is a Pillar:** - Required by hadith: "Actions are by intentions" **For Obligatory Fasting:** - Must be made from the **night before** - Even a minute before Fajr suffices - **Hadith:** "Whoever doesn't determine to fast before Fajr has no fast" [Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah] - Applies to: Ramadan, make-up (qada), expiation, vows **For Voluntary Fasting:** - Permissible to intend during the day - Condition: Must not have eaten or drunk anything - **Hadith:** Aisha said the Prophet ﷺ entered and asked "Do you have anything?" She said "No." He said: "Then I am fasting" [Muslim] **One Intention for All Ramadan:** - Suffices to intend once at start of Ramadan for the whole month - Recommended to renew each night