What is the ruling on intending to break the fast at a later time?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Fasting

Book 9 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If one intends to break the fast at a later hour, this constitutes an intention to break the fast during its prescribed time. If the intention remains suspended upon a condition, such as intending to break the fast only if food is found, the fast is not upheld because the intention lacks decisiveness for fasting. This lack of decisive intention also invalidates the initial formation of the fast's intention.

Supporting text

An alternative view states that the fast is valid because a definitive intention to break the fast was not established, as the conditionality prevents a sound intention to break the fast, just as it prevents the initiation of the fast itself.