The Condition of Making the Intention (Niyyah) Before Fajr for Obligatory Fasts but not for Voluntary Fasts:
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“He who does not resolve to fast before it is Fajr, there is no fast for him.”
Authenticated by Ibn Khuzaimah (1933), Ibn Hazm (Al-Muhallaa, 6/162), Ad-Daaraqutnee (2216), Al-Baihaqee (4/202), Al-Khattaabee (Ma`aalim-us-Sunan, 3/332-333), Al-Haakim (C.f. Sharh-us-Sunnah, 1744; Nasb-ur-Raayah, 2/433), Al-Ishbeelee (C.f. Khulaasat-ul-Badr, 1095), Ibn-ul-Jawzee (At-Tahqeeq, 1053), An-Nawawee (1727, 1728), Ibn-ul-Mulaqqin (Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaaj, 2/80), Ibn Hajar (2/351), Al-Azeem`aabaadee (At-Ta`leeq-ul-Mughnee, 2214), Al-Albaanee (Al-Irwaa’, 914; Hidaayat-ur-Ruwaah, 1928; Saheeh Abee Daawood, 7/213-214), `Abdul-Qaadir Al-Arnaa’oot (Zaad-ul-Ma`aad, 2/73), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Ibid), Husayn Asad (Musnad-ud-Daarimee, 1740), Al-Huwainee (Fasl-ul-Khitaab, 19), Az-Zuhairee (Buloogh-ul-Maraam, 656, 657; Al-`Umdat-ul-Kubraa, 370), Al-Hilaalee (Takhreej-ul-Muharrar, 617; Sifat-us-Saum, p.30), Al-Halabee (Sifat-us-Saum, p.30) and Anees Taahir (Mukhtasar-ul-Ahkaam, 3/376-377).
Its isnaad was authenticated by Ibn Katheer. (Tuhfat-ut-Taalib, 306).
It is also narrated as a statement of:
- Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa).
Reported by Maalik (Al-Muwatta’, 2/310/692) from Naafi` from Ibn `Umar. Authenticated by Al-Hilaalee (Al-Muwatta’, 692) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 2/617).
Note: This isnaad is one of the most authentic isnaads. (C.f. Tadreeb-ur-Raawee, 1/100-101, 102-103, 110).
- Hafsah (radiyallaahu `anhaa).
Authenticated by Al-Hilaalee (Al-Muwatta’, 2/310) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 2/617).
`Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu `anhaa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) came to me one day and said:
“O `Aa’ishah! Do you have any food?” We said:
“No.” He said:
“So I am fasting.” Then he came to us another day and we said:
“O Messenger of Allaah! We have been given Hais (a meal prepared from dates and flour).” So he said:
“Let me see. I had been fasting.” So he ate.”
Reported by Muslim (2708) in his Saheeh.
It is similarly narrated from a number of Companions including:
- Aboo Talhah (radiyallaahu `anhu).
Authenticated by Al-Albaanee (Mukhtasar-ul-Bukaaree, 1/556), Al-Hilaalee (Sifat-us-Saum, p.31), Al-Halalbee (Ibid) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 2/661-662).
- Ibn `Abbas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa).
Authenticated by Al-Albaanee (Ibid), Al-Hilaalee (Ibid), Al-Halalbee (Ibid) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Ibid, 2/666).
- Ibn Mas`ood (radiyallaahu `anhu).
Authenticated by Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Ibid, 2/665).
- Abud-Dardaa’ (radiyallaahu `anhu).
Authenticated by Ibn Hajar (Al-Mataalib, 1015), Al-Albaanee (Mukhtasar-ul-Bukhaaree, 1/556), Al-Hilaalee (Sifat-us-Saum, p.31), Al-Halalbee (Ibid) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 2/665).
Al-Boosayree said: “Its narrators are reliable.” (Al-Ithaaf, 4/287).
Al-Bukhaaree mentioned it in mu`allaq form designating it with certainty and said: “It was done by Aboo Talhah, Aboo Hurairah, Ibn `Abbaas and Hudhaifah (radiyallaahu `anhum).” (Al-Fath, 4/140).
Aboo `Abdir-Rahmaan As-Sulamee narrated that Hudhaifah (radiyallaahu `anhu) thought about fasting after the sun had declined (after zawaal) so he fasted.
Authenticated by An-Nawawee (Al-Majmoo`, 6/303), Al-Hilaalee (Sifat-us-Saum, p.31), Al-Halalbee (Ibid) and Zakariyyaa Al-Baakistaanee (Aathaar-us-Sahaabah, 2/664).
