Niat for Arafah Fasting on 26 May 2026: Rules for Reciting in the Afternoon

Tomorrow marks the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah for Muslims, the day for observing the highly virtuous Arafah fast. What is the correct intention for this fast?

Intention is a crucial part of Islamic worship that cannot be separated. Without intention, worship holds no value.

According to the book ‘Daily Life of a Muslim’ by Dr Dadang Subarna, MSc, linguistically, ‘niat’ derives from the Arabic word ‘nawa’, meaning ‘to intend to do something’. In terminology, it refers to the heart’s desire accompanied by purpose in performing an act.

Regarding its importance, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘Actions are judged by intentions, and each person will receive what they intended.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

Returning to the Arafah fast, here is the complete intention:

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ سُنَّةً لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Arabic transliteration: Nawaitu shauma arafata sunnatan lillaahi ta’aalaa.

Translation: ‘I intend to fast the Arafah sunnah for Allah the Almighty.’

Is it permissible to recite the Arafah fasting intention in the afternoon?

As humans are prone to mistakes, one might wake up late on Arafah day, say at 8am, and miss reciting the intention and suhur.

Firstly, voluntary fasts are of two types. As explained by Hari Ahadi in his book ‘Notes on Fiqh of Voluntary Fasts’, the first type is not tied to specific times. The second type has specific times, such as Arafah, Ashura, and six days of Shawwal.

For the first type, one can intend in the afternoon provided no acts that invalidate the fast, such as eating or drinking, have been done. However, for the second type, including Arafah, the intention cannot be made in the afternoon. It must be made from the night before until before Fajr, otherwise the fast would not count as a full day.

Syaikh Muhammad bin Shalih al-Utsaimin stated: ‘Voluntary fasts with specific times have the same ruling as obligatory fasts (i.e., intention must be made from the night before or before Fajr). For example, if someone intends to fast the six days of Shawwal, they must intend before Fajr. It is invalid if they only intend in the afternoon, even though it may count as a non-specific voluntary fast.’ (Fath Dzil Jalali wal Ikram, VII/89)

Must the Arafah intention be recited aloud?

The recitation of intention remains a heated debate among Muslims. Some scholars prohibit it, noting the Prophet did not recite it. Others consider it recommended.

Among those who deem recitation not sunnah is Syaikhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyyah. He stated: ‘The Prophet did not recite anything before takbiratul ihram, nor did he recite the intention before purification, prayer, fasting, Hajj, or other acts of worship. The Rightly Guided Caliphs also did not. The Prophet never instructed anyone to recite the intention… If reciting the intention were encouraged, it would have been done by the Prophet and known to the Muslims.’ (Majmu’ al-Fatawa, XXII/221-222)

Conversely, some scholars consider it recommended. According to NU Online, in Sayyid Bakri’s ‘I’anah al-Thalibin’, it states: ‘Intention is in the heart, and reciting it is not required, but it is recommended.’ (I’anah al-Thalibin, p. 221)

Regardless of differing opinions, the intention for Arafah fasting must exist in the heart. Muslims should intend it at night to avoid missing the fast due to oversleeping.

Virtues of Arafah Fasting

Did you know Arafah fasting carries significant virtues? Those who observe it will have their sins forgiven for the previous and coming year.

Quoted from ‘Fiqh of Fasting’ by Dr Thoat Stiawan et al., the Prophet said: ‘I hope that the fast of Arafah will expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year.’ (Muslim no. 1162)

Additionally, Arafah fasting occurs on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, part of the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, which Allah loves. From Ibn Abbas, the Prophet said: ‘There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.’ (Sahih)

This concludes the detailed discussion on the intention for Arafah fasting and the rules for reciting it in the afternoon.