Multiple intentions for fasting

1. To carry out the orders of Allah and to attain piety as Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) said:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-Muttaqun (pious)” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

2. To get protection from Hell-Fire. Allah’s Messengers (Salla-Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a person fasts for a day, for the sake of Allah, Allah drives away the Hell-Fire from him to a distance of seventy years of traveling.” [Al-Bukhari: 4/52/93 and Muslim 6/2570 to 6/2572]

3. To expiate one’s past sins. Allah’s Messenger said: “Whoever observes Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan, out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari 1/2/37 and 3/32/231 ]

4. To enter Paradise .Abu Umamah (Radhia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: I asked the Prophet,’O Allah’s Messenger, guide me to a deed with which I may enter Paradise. “He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied,’ Observe fasting; there is nothing like it.’” [An-Nissai, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim]

5. To get the intercession on the Day of Judgment. “On the Day of Judgment, fasting and Qur’an will intercede for the person who observes fast and recites the Qur’an.” [Ahmed]

6.To get a granted invocation (supplication). Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:’ Three kinds of invocations are to be granted; the invocation of the person who observes fast, the invocation of an oppressed person, and the invocation of a traveler.” [Al-Silsilah as-Sahiha no. 1797]

7. To enter through the gate of Ar-Rayyan on the Day of Judgement. Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “There is a gate of Ar-Rayyan on The Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it.” [Al-Bukhari 3/31/120, Muslim 5/2239 and 5/2240].

8. To receive the reward in full without reckoning. Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:’ A man’s good acts are recompensed many times, from ten times to 700 times. Allah, the Exalted, says ‘But a fast is an exception because it is undertaken simply for My Sake) i.e.,there is no limit for it’s recompense) and I, Alone shall bestow the reward for it.’” [Muslim 6/2566 to 6/2568]