Can you please explain about niyah for saum? Does eating sahri (sahoor) count as niyah? Please explain in as much detail as possible.
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah,
For Ramadan fasts, an individual generally holds the intention to fast; specifying this intention each day is not necessary. Therefore, if one does not even wake for suhoor, the fast still commences.
Similarly, if one wakes for suhoor and consumes the meal without a clear intent about fasting, then this act of eating suhoor will be regarded as a confirmation of the intent to fast.
However, if one consciously decides not to fast while partaking in suhoor, then this sehri this does not serve as an intention to fast.
If one misses suhoor and wakes up late, while actively contemplating not to fast, one can still set the intention to fast up until Dahwatul Kubra, provided that no actions have been taken that would break the fast, such as eating.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi