Not having the intention to observe Sawm until 07:00 am on the first day of Ramadan

395

Q 1: On the first day of Ramadan, we did not have intention to observe Sawm (Fast) until 07:00 am because we did not know that Wednesday was the start of Ramadan except (Part No. 9; Page No. 149) till the morning. Is our Sawm on that day valid? Have I to make up for that day because I had no intention except after its proper time?

A: You have to make up for the day on which you did not intend to observe Sawm from the previous evening. Having intention the night before Sawm is a condition for the validity of obligatory Sawm. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever does not determine to fast before dawn has not fasted. (Related by the Five Compilers of Hadith [Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah])