The Law of Forgetting to Read the Intention of Fasting Ramadan According to Ulama that Must Be Known

The law of forgetting to read the intention of fasting Ramadan. (Photo: Pixabay/derudyarra)

YOGYAKARTA - Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of Islam that must be carried out by every Muslim who has met the requirements. In addition to refraining from eating and drinking, this worship also teaches us to restrain our desires from dawn to sunset. There are pillars and conditions that must be met in the implementation of Ramadan fasting, one of which is intention. However, what is the law if someone forgets to read the intention of Ramadan fasting? Is the fast still valid or must it be replaced? Reported from the NU Online website, this article will discuss the law of forgetting to read the intention of Ramadan fasting according to the views of scholars.

The Importance of Intention in Ramadan Fasting

Intention is one of the pillars of fasting that must not be abandoned. In a hadith narrated by Muhammad, it is stated that every act depends on its intention. This means that intention is the difference between worship and ordinary habits. Intention in the context of Ramadan fasting serves as a confirmation in the heart that one will carry out the fasting worship because of Allah SWT.

The majority of scholars argue that the intention of fasting Ramadan must be done at night before dawn. This is based on a hadith which states that whoever does not intend to fast before dawn, then there is no fasting for him. Therefore, intention is an important part that determines the validity or not of one's fasting. However, scholars differ in their opinions regarding the technical implementation of the intention, especially if someone forgets to pronounce it or forgets to intend before dawn. It should be understood that the most important thing in the intention is the desire and awareness in the heart, not just words on the tongue.

The Law of Forgetting to Read the Intention of Fasting Ramadan

The majority of Muslims think that the intention must be pronounced verbally. In fact, according to the majority of scholars, the intention is in the heart. Pronouncing the intention is only recommended to help bring the intention to the heart, not as a condition for the validity of fasting. The key is the existence of a deliberate intention that after dawn he will perform fasting. Imam Syafi'i himself argues that eating sahur does not automatically replace the position of intention, unless it arises (khathara) in his heart the intention to fast (al-Fiqh al-Islami, III, 1670-1678). Therefore, if someone forgets to read the lafaz niat but in his heart there is already a desire to fast tomorrow, then his fasting is still valid.

In his book Al-Majmû' Syarhul Muhadzdzab, Imam Nawawi said the solution as follows:

"It is recommended (for those who forget the intention at night) to intend to fast Ramadan in the morning, because that is sufficient according to Imam Abu Hanifah, then a precautionary step is taken by intending." (Yahya bin Syaraf An-Nawawi, Al-Majmû' Syarhul Muhadzdzab, [Jedah: Maktabah Al-Irsyad, tt.], juz VI, hal. 315).

Based on the above statement, people who forget to read the intention of fasting Ramadan at night still have the opportunity to make the intention in the morning with the note that the intention he made in the morning must also be understood and initiated as an attitude of taqlid or following what is taught by Imam Abu Hanifah.

However, in the Maliki school of thought has a looser opinion. According to the Maliki school, the intention of fasting Ramadan is enough to be done once at the beginning of the month for a full month, as long as it is not interrupted by excuses such as illness or travel. If someone forgets to renew the intention every night, his fast is still valid because it is covered by the initial intention of the month.

This difference of opinion shows that Islam provides ease and does not burden its followers. If a person forgets the intention because it is really unintentional, then Muslims should choose the opinion that is most appropriate for their beliefs and conditions, as long as it is based on evidence and guidance from scholars. This difference should not be a source of division, but rather a form of generosity in the Islamic sharia.

The law of forgetting to read the intention of fasting Ramadan depends on the conditions and mazhab that are followed. If you just forget to recite the intention but have already intended in your heart, then the fast is still valid. However, if you really forget to intend until dawn, according to the majority of scholars, the fast is not valid and needs to be replaced on another day. However, there are differences of opinion among scholars who provide flexibility in certain conditions.

As Muslims, it is important to understand the rules of intention correctly so that the fasting that is carried out is valid and accepted by Allah SWT. In addition, getting used to intending since before going to bed at night can be a solution so as not to forget. Ramadan fasting can be carried out more calmly, confidently, and consciously by understanding its laws and wisdom.

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