What is the prescribed reward for a voluntary fast commenced during the daytime?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
If the intention for a voluntary fast is made during the day, the person is credited with the legal fast and receives reward from the time of intention. According to the explicit text from Ahmad, whoever intends a voluntary fast during the day, the remainder of his day is recorded for him, whereas if he resolves from the night, he receives credit for the entire day.
Supporting text
Abu al-Khattab holds that reward is decreed from the beginning of the day, based on the principle that the fast is not divisible within the day, evidenced by the fact that if one eats during part of it, the rest of the day's fast is invalid. This implies that existence during part of the day indicates being a faster from the beginning. This contrasts with the view that reward is only from the time of intention, arguing that what preceded the intention was not intended, relying on the hadith, "Actions are only by intentions, and every man will have what he intended."