Dua for Beginning Fasting: Intention and Supplications at Suhoor

This is the dua and intention for beginning a fast. Make it before Fajr, in your heart, with sincerity.

The Niyyah (Intention) for Beginning a Ramadan Fast

Arabic:

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ عَنْ أَدَاءِ فَرْضِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذَا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Transliteration:

Nawaytu ṣawma ghadin ʿan adāʾi farḍi shahri ramaḍāna hādhā lillāhi taʿālā

Translation:

"I intend to fast tomorrow to fulfill the obligation of the month of Ramadan this year for the sake of Allah Most High."

Source: Based on the principle of niyyah established in: "Actions are judged by their intentions." (Narrated by Bukhari, 1; Muslim, 1907)

This verbal formula is used to help focus the niyyah. The actual obligation is the intention in the heart — not saying these words.

Simpler Niyyah Formula

Many Muslims use a shorter version:

Arabic:

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ رَمَضَانَ

Transliteration:

Nawaytu ṣawma ramaḍān

Translation:

"I intend to fast Ramadan."

Both versions are acceptable. The key is that you are consciously aware you are fasting for Allah when the fast begins.

Looking for more duas? Browse our complete Dua Collection — organized by occasion with Arabic text, transliteration, and translation.

Dua at Suhoor Time

There is no specific prescribed dua for eating the pre-dawn meal. However, this is one of the most blessed times for supplication. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night during the last third of the night, and He says: 'Who is calling upon Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me, so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?'" (Narrated by Bukhari, 1145; Muslim, 758)

The last third of the night overlaps with suhoor time. This is the time to make sincere, personal duas — for your family, your health, your livelihood, your faith, and for the Muslim ummah.

Recommended dhikr during suhoor:

• Astaghfirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ) — seeking forgiveness at this blessed hour
• Personal duas in your own language for whatever you need

Dua When Beginning to Eat Suhoor

Start your suhoor meal with:

Arabic:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

Transliteration:

Bismillāh

Translation:

"In the name of Allah."

Source: Narrated by Bukhari, 5376; Muslim, 2017

If you forget to say it at the beginning, say: Bismillāhi awwalahu wa ākhirah — "In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end." (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 3767)

When and How to Observe the Niyyah

For Ramadan fasts:

• The niyyah must be made each night before Fajr (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali position)
• Hanafi opinion: niyyah can be made up until Dhuhr for Ramadan fasting
• Simply waking up for suhoor with the intention of fasting counts as the niyyah for most scholars

For voluntary fasts:

• You can make the niyyah before midday if you have not eaten
• Say: Nawaytu ṣawman — "I intend to fast."

For make-up fasts (qadha):

• The niyyah must specify that this is a qadha (make-up) fast for Ramadan
• Add: qadha'an 'an Ramadan — "as a make-up for Ramadan"

Virtues and Rewards

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged suhoor and said:

"Eat suhoor, for there is blessing in suhoor." (Narrated by Bukhari, 1923; Muslim, 1095)

He also said: "The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) is the eating of suhoor." (Narrated by Muslim, 1096)

Even eating a small amount — a date, a sip of water — at suhoor time counts as following this sunnah. The scholars say the blessing (barakah) in suhoor is not only physical (energy for the day) but also spiritual (following the Prophet's practice and making those pre-dawn duas).

Related Duas

• Dua for Fasting — the complete collection of duas for fasting, including iftar
• Dua for Breaking Fast — the authentic iftar supplications
• Dua for Laylatul Qadr — the special dua recited on the Night of Power