Is it permissible for a school for which land has been endowed to collect installments from students, and does this contradict the rulings of waqf (endowment)?

Summary: Intention (niyyah (definition)) is an essential pillar for the validity of fasting, and its absence invalidates it. The intention must be made before Fajr for each day of Ramadan (definition), and a single intention for the entire month is not sufficient.

Details: Fasting is not valid without intention, as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever does not make the intention before Fajr, there is no fast for him."

1. Intention for Each Day: Intention is obligatory for each day of Ramadan, and one intention for the entire month is not sufficient. This is the view of the majority of jurists, such as Malik, Shafi'i, and Ahmad. Each day is an independent act of worship that requires a specific intention, similar to daily prayers.

2. Time of Intention: The intention must be made from the night, i.e., before the rising of Fajr, based on the Prophet's saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Whoever does not make the intention before Fajr, there is no fast for him." If one sleeps before making the intention and does not wake up until after Fajr, their fast is not valid.

3. Specifying the Intention: The fasting person must intend the obligatory fast (Ramadan fast) and not any other fast. The basis of intention is specification, meaning determining the type of worship.

4. Exceptional Cases: One who did not know of the start of Ramadan until after Fajr: They should abstain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day and must make up that day. A sick person or traveler who intended to fast then broke their fast: They must make up that day.

5. Jurisprudential Disagreement (for clarification only): Some Hanafi jurists believe that a single intention is sufficient for the entire month, by analogy with the validity of making the intention from the beginning of the night. However, the preponderant view is the obligation of making the intention for each day, which is the opinion of the majority. And Allah knows best.