Eating or drinking after making the niyyah of Roza

Q. Is it permissible to eat or drink after making the niyyah of Roza?

A. The question suggests a misunderstanding, as the niyyah (intention) for fasting is not a formula pronounced verbally. Rather, niyyah refers to the intention made mentally. Therefore, even if a person does not say anything verbally, as long as the intention is made in his heart, his fast is valid.

The common misconception is that once the niyyah is made, one cannot eat or drink. This is incorrect! As long as the time for Sehri has not ended, i.e., until the appearance of Subh-e-Saadiq, one can still eat or drink. The verbal declaration of the intention does not prevent eating or drinking until the end of Sehri time. Similarly, the inner intention to fast, which typically exists from the evening, does not prevent one from eating or drinking during the night.

[English version of "Manger ou boire après avoir fait le niyyah de Roza" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 2]