Learn to Draw up Intentions

It is the peak of pious Acts

The Messenger of Allah said, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [Agreed upon]
 

Dear Brother and Sister in Islam,

These are some intentions to be drawn up by the Will Of Allah for acts of worship like fasting, night prayer and Suhur (the meal taken before dawn while fasting is observed)

Intentions of Fasting

1- Narrated by Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger as saying: “Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

2- Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr that the Messenger of Allah said: "Fasting and Qur’an will intercede on behalf of the slave, fasting will say, “O Allah I deprived him from eating and drinking, let me intercede for him.” In addition, The Qur’an says, “O Allah I deprived him from sleeping at night let me intercede for him.” At the end, they are permitted to intercede on his behalf" [Reported By Ahmad]
 

3- Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah said: “Any slave of Allah that fasts a day for the Sake of Allah, He will set his face Apart from hell seventy Autumns(i.e. seventy years, metaphorically years are expressed as autumns)” [Agreed upon]
 

4-Narrated by Sahl: The Prophet said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it." [Agreed Upon]
 

5- Narrated byAbu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said in a divine Hadith: “The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy, one when he breaks the fast he is glad with the breaking of (the fast) and one when he meets his Lord he is glad with his fast.” [Reported by Muslim]

6- Narrated byAbu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said: “The breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” [Reported by Muslim]
 

7- Narrated byAbu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said about non-obligatory fasting: “My servant keeps striving to seek my proximity through performing supererogatory performance (nonobligatory acts of Sunnah) until I love him.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

8- Constrict the paths of the Devil seeking to astray a Muslim. Ali Ibn Al-Hussein may Allah be pleased with them narrated that the messenger of Allah: “The devil flows in the vein of the son of Adam like the flow of his blood.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

Fasting constricts the vein of a human, thus constricting the paths of the devil.

9- Narrated by Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said: “Whoever observes the fast of Ramadan abide by his faith and for the sake of Allah his past sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed upon]
 

10- Seeking piety (preserving from sins and torment in hell) Allah Almighty said: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [Al-Baqara 2:183]

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ}

البقرة: 183

11- Narrated by Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said in a divine Hadith: “My slave offered nothing dearest to me than what I made compulsory on him.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

12- Allah Almighty said: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” [Al-Zumar 39:10]
 

Transliteration: 'Innamā Yuwaffá Aş-Şābirūna 'Ajrahum Bighayri Ĥisābin

Fasting includes three types of patience; Patience over acts of obedience, patience on neglecting sins and patience over Allah’s destiny. What affects the believer like thirst, laziness, boredom and pain he remains patient because it is for the of Allah’s pleasure.

13- Allah Almighty said: “And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. ” [Al-Ankabut 29:69]
 

Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Jāhadū Fīnā Lanahdiyannahum Subulanā

Whoever strives to perfection in acting upon the obedience, Allah will ease the purpose of guidance and the paths that leads to Him Almighty. Allah Almighty said: “Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.” [Al-Tawbah 9:120]
 

Transliteration: 'Inna Allāha Lā Yuđīu 'Ajra Al-Muĥsinīna

Intentions for Night Prayer

1-One of the best Causes to enter Paradise: Narrated by Abdullah Ibn salam that the Messenger of Allah said:- “O people spread greetings among each other(Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allahi Wa Barakatuh), feed food to others, maintain kinship and pray at night while people are asleep you will enter paradise in peace” [Reported by Ibn Majjah]
 

2- One of the causes that exalts the ranks up the Rooms of Paradise (unlike rooms in this world just, identical in name not features): Narrated by Aby Malik Al-Ash’ari that the Messenger of Allah said, “There are rooms in Paradise its interior is Apparent from its exterior and its exterior is apparent from its interior, prepared by Allah Almighty to whom had fed food to others, softened his speech, observed continuous fast, spread greetings and prayed At night while people are asleep”. [Albani]
 

‹‹ أفضل الصلاة ، بعد الصلاة المكتوبة ، الصلاة في جوف الليل››

مسلم

4- The love of Allah Exalted his rank. Narrated byAbu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said about non-obligatory fasting: My servant keeps striving to seek my proximity through performing supererogatory performance (nonobligatory acts in Sunnah) until I love him. [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

5- Night prayer expiates sins. Bilal May Allah be pleased with him narrated that the messenger of Allah : Stick to night prayer, it’s the practice of the righteous people, a pious act to your Lord, expiates sins and prevents sinning. [Reported by Al-Tirmidhi]
 

6- Its doers are observed as true and complete believers. Allah almighty said: “Only those believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud. (15) Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allâh’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. (16) No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” [Al-Sajdah 32:15-17]
 

Transliteration: 'Innamā Yu'uminu Bi'āyātinā Al-Ladhīna 'Idhā Dhukkirū Bihā Kharrū Sujjadāan Wa Sabbaĥū Biĥamdi Rabbihim Wa Hum Lā Yastakbirūna (15) Tatajāfá Junūbuhum Ani Al-Mađājii Yadūna Rabbahum Khawfāan Wa Ţamaāan Wa Mimmā Razaqnāhum Yunfiqūna (16) Falā Talamu Nafsun Mā 'Ukhfiya Lahum Min Qurrati 'Ayunin Jazā'an Bimā Kānū Yamalūna

7- Night prayer is the honor of the believer. Narrated by Sahl Ibn Sa’d that, Jibreel May Allah be pleased with him came to the Prophet and said: “O Mohamed, the honor of a believer is the night prayer and his pride is the dispensing the need of people.” [Al-Albani]
 

8- A Great bounty. Narrated By Abdullah Ibn Amr that the Messenger of Allah said: “Who stood and prayed the night prayer with Ten Verses is not observed among the unaware, Who prayed with hundred verses is not observed among the discontent and who prays with a thousand verses is observed among the quintal collectors.” [Al-Albani]
 

9- The observer of night prayer is highly praised due to the great deeds. Salim Ibn Abdullah Ibn narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Messenger of Allah said: Envy is not justified except in the case of two persons only. One who, have been given (knowledge of) the Qur'an by Allah, recites it during the night and day (and also acts upon it) and a man who, have been given wealth by Allah, spends it during the night and day (for the welfare of others. seeking the pleasure of the Lord).” [Reported by Muslim]
 

10- The maintainers of night prayer are among the Muhsinin (Well-Doers). Allah Almighty said: “Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinûn (good-doers). (16) They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allâh) and praying, with fear and hope]. (17) And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allâh) for forgiveness” [Al-Zariat 51:16-18]

Transliteration: 'Ākhidhīna Mā 'Ātāhum Rabbuhum 'Innahum Kānū Qabla Dhālika Muĥsinīna (16) Kānū Qalīlāan Mina Al-Layli Mā Yahjaūna Wa Bil-'Asĥāri Hum Yastaghfirūna

11- Applying true worship and showing gratitude to Allah Almighty for his Grace. Al-Mughira narrated that the messenger of Allah said: “Can’t I be a thankful slave (on affirmative).” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

12- Narrated byAbu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger said: “Whoever observes the fast of Ramadan abide by his faith and for the sake of Allah his past sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed Upon]
 

Intentions of Suhur

(Meal taken before dawn to support those observing fast during the day in Ramadan)

1- Obeying the command of the messenger Of Allah which is sufficient an honorable to do: Anas Ibn Malik May Allah be pleased with him Narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Observe Suhur, there is blessing in Suhur” [Agreed upon]
 

{مَّنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللّهَ}

النساء: 80

Transliteration: Man Yuţii Ar-Rasūla Faqad 'Aţāa Allāha

2- Suhur is a sign or a logo for Muslims that differentiates them from the people of the book (Jews and Christians). The messenger of Allah said: “What separates our fast and the fast of the people of the book (Jews and Christians), the meal of Suhur” [Reported by Al-Albani]
 

3- 3- Benevolence is achieved and preserving it, narrated By Amr Ibn Al-As that the messenger of Allah said: “People will be remain a religious well-being as long as they observe fast break early and Suhur lately.” [Agreed upon]
 

4- Observing Suhur gives energy to carry out good deeds (fasting).

5- Allah and his Angels pray on whoever observes Suhur. Ibn Omar Narrated that the messenger of Allah said: Allah and his Angels Pray on the observers of Suhur. [Traceable Hadith classified as Hassan (Good) By Al-Albani]
 

6- The time of Suhur is a blessed time. Allah descends at this time (last third of night descending that befits Him) and accepting supplication is granted.

7- The Time of Suhur is the best time for Istighfar (Asking forgiveness). Allah has praised the ones asking forgiveness in this time: { And those who pray and beg Allâh’s Pardon in the last hours of the night} [Surat Al-Imran: 17].
 

8- Having the meal of Suhur is an act of worship If:

a) Intention made to seek support to perform deeds.
b) Following the Messenger of Allah .

9- Allah Almighty places blessings on the acts of whoever observes Suhur. Thus it most befitting that this person does good deeds in this Day.

10- Observing Suhur guarantees the person to answer the call of the Fajr prayer and repeating Athan of Al Fajr after the Mu’athin, great reward behind for all the aforementioned.

11- It ensures the answering and observing Al-Fajr prayer at time, because the person sleeping mostly misses the Fajr Prayer.

12- Observing Suhur repels bad morals resulted by hunger during a fasting day (anger).

Issues on Intentions

Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Taymiah said: Intention Originates from the Heart, not uttered by the tongue as been agreed among the scholars of Islam in all acts of worship. None of the scholars claimed that it is compulsory to utter intention in purity, prayer, fasting, and Hajj.

If an individual recalls an intention for a pious act but hindered due to some foreign reason, he is rewarded for the intention of doing it, but prevented without him interfering as a reason. But the act he will be rewarded for if it was a habit, not once. (Explaination of Ryadh Asalihyn By Ibn Uthaymeen 1/26).

Omar Ibn Al-Khattab said: O people make sure to recall your intentions for your deeds, whoever does that will be rewarded for the deed and the intention he recalled to carry out.

Is it compulsory to recall an intention for fasting every night in Ramadan?

One intention in the first night is sufficient for the whole month. This is the opinion of Imam Ahmad, Malik and Ibn Rahaway.

What is the ruling if someone wakes up during the day not knowing that Ramadan has arrived and he ate during the day?

He who becomes aware of the crescent of Ramadan during the day whether he ate or not, must recall the intention of fasting and leaves any fast breaking causes and continues fasting without the need to remake his day after Ramadan. Proved by a hadith narrated by Salama Ibn Al-Aqwa’ said that Allah's Messenger said to a man from the tribe of Al-Aslam, "Proclaim among your people (or the people) on the day of 'Ashura' (tenth of Muharram), 'Whosoever has eaten anything should fast for the rest of the day; and whoever has not eaten anything, should complete his fast.'" [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Taymiah said: If the crescent had been proved during the day of Ramadan before eating or after, continue fasting and refrain from eating without the need to make up this day after Ramadan.

Is it allowed to recall an intention for supererogatory fasting during the day?

i) If he wakes up not intending to eat nor fast, then it is permissible to recall an intention and begin fasting. It is narrated that Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him that he would be awake until noon then says, “By Allah I woke up not intending to fast neither did I eat nor drink, I will fast this day. [Narrated by Al-Tahawy with an authentic chain of transmission]
Narrated By Ibn Mas’ud May Allah be pleased with him saying: If one of you woke up and wanted to fast he has two options(either fast or carry out a normal day). [Narrated by Al-Tahawy with an authentic chain of transmission] It is the opininon of Al-Shafe’I, Ahmad in all times and Abu Hanifa but before noon.

ii) Who was thinking of fasting during the day then he is between two choices either fasting or continue a normal day, this is stipulated by not talking until the end of the Day. [Reported By Ibn Aby Sahyba with an authentic chain of transmission]


Translated by Wathakker.info website