Ruling on the Condition of Intending Fasting Ramadan from the Night Before
Must the intention be formed at night before dawn breaks, or may it be formed after?
Forming the intention at night is not a condition for the fast of Ramadan; it is valid with an intention formed at night or during the day before mid-morning, though the night intention is better.
The intention must be formed at night, before dawn breaks or together with it; forming it afterwards is not valid in any fast, obligatory or voluntary.
The intention must be formed at night, and an obligatory fast is valid only with an intention before dawn, based on his saying ﷺ: “Whoever does not resolve upon the fast before dawn, there is no fast for him.”
The intention must be formed at night, and an obligatory fast is valid only with an intention formed before dawn breaks.