What is the best time to make an intention for a Nafl or Sunnah fast?
Question
What is the last time and the best time for a person to make an intention for a Nafl or Sunnah fast?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is best to make the intention for nafl fasts during the previous night (at the time of Sehri).
However, there is leeway to make an intention until the time of Dahwatul Kubra (exactly midway between Subah Sadiq (break of dawn) and sunset ). This is, obviously, provided that the person did not consume anything that morning from the time of the break of dawn.[1]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ahmad Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
[1]
اللباب في شرح الكتاب ج ٢ ص ٢٧٥ دار البشائر الإسلامية(
لجامع الصغير: قبل نصف النهار، وهو الأصح، لأنه لابد من وجود النية في أكثر النهار؛ ونصفه من وقت طلوع الفجر إلى وقت الضحوة الكبرى، فيشترط النية قبلها، لتحقق في الأكثر؛ ولا فرق بين المسافر والمقيم، خلافاً لزفر. هداية.
)والنفل كله) مستحبه ومكروهه (يجوز بنية قبل الزوال) أي قبل نصف النهار؛ كما مر.
فتاوي التاتارخانيه ج ٣ ص ٣٧٣ مكتبه زكريا ديوبند
ولو نوي ان يصوم غدا ثم بدا له ان لا يصوم لا يجب عليه القضاء ولو نوي ان يصوم غدا فأكل بعد الصبح يجب عليه القضاء.
(الطحطاوي 530)
والنفل- يصح بنية من الليل الى ما قبل نصف النهار
البحر الرائق، ٢/ ٣١٤
وأشار إلى أن التسحر ثابت واختلف فيه فقيل مستحب وقيل سنة واختار الأول في الظهيرية
والثاني في البدائع
بهشتي زيور، تيسرا حصة، ص. ١٤
- Answered by
- Ahmad Patel
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
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Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/46471
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-46471
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