Intending to Break the Fast Without Eating or Drinking – Does It Invalidate the Fast?
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
If a fasting person intends to break the fast without actually eating or drinking, will his fast be invalidated?
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is well understood that fasting is a combination of intention and the abstention from specific acts. A person abstains from actions that invalidate the fast while intending to draw closer to Allah through this abstention.
If someone makes a firm intention that they have indeed broken their fast, then their fast becomes void, even if they have not eaten or drunk anything.
However, if the fast in question is a Ramadan fast, then abstaining from food and drink until sunset remains obligatory, because whoever abandons a Ramadan fast without a valid excuse must still refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If a person does not make a firm intention, but merely has hesitation, doubt, or uncertainty, then there is scholarly disagreement regarding this matter:
◈ Some scholars state that the fast is invalidated, because hesitation contradicts the firm resolve required for intention.
◈ Other scholars say that the fast is not invalidated, since the original intention remains unless a decisive intention to break the fast is made.
Given the strength of the second opinion, the preferred view is that mere hesitation or doubt does not invalidate the fast.
🖋 This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
If a fasting person intends to break the fast without actually eating or drinking, will his fast be invalidated?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is well understood that fasting is a combination of intention and the abstention from specific acts. A person abstains from actions that invalidate the fast while intending to draw closer to Allah through this abstention.
If someone makes a firm intention that they have indeed broken their fast, then their fast becomes void, even if they have not eaten or drunk anything.
However, if the fast in question is a Ramadan fast, then abstaining from food and drink until sunset remains obligatory, because whoever abandons a Ramadan fast without a valid excuse must still refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If a person does not make a firm intention, but merely has hesitation, doubt, or uncertainty, then there is scholarly disagreement regarding this matter:
◈ Some scholars state that the fast is invalidated, because hesitation contradicts the firm resolve required for intention.
◈ Other scholars say that the fast is not invalidated, since the original intention remains unless a decisive intention to break the fast is made.
Given the strength of the second opinion, the preferred view is that mere hesitation or doubt does not invalidate the fast.
🖋 This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.
