Is sequential fasting (mutaba'ah) required for the atonement of Zihar (incorrectly supporting one's wife)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
Scholars have reached a consensus on the requirement of sequential fasting for the atonement of Zihar. Furthermore, if a person fasts part of the required two months and then breaks it without a valid excuse, they must restart the sequence of both months. Sequential fasting requires uninterrupted observance between the fasting days, meaning one should not break the fast or fast for reasons other than this atonement during those two months. This requirement is established by the text of the Quran and Sunnah.
Supporting text
Regarding the intention (niyyah), one view holds that intention is unnecessary for sequential fasting as it is a precondition, and preconditions for acts of worship do not require intention, only the acts themselves. A second view requires intention every night because when joining acts of worship is a condition, intention becomes necessary, similar to joining the prayers (Jam' bayn as-Salahayn). A third view holds that the intention made on the first night suffices.