Niyat For Namaz.

A freind asked me about this a few days ago, so friend; here it is :slight_smile:

I know a lot of pakis recite the whole “mein niyat kar ti houN chaar rakat namaz farz, wakht …” but it seems there isn’t much basis for this in the Sunnah.

Ruling on uttering the intention (niyyah) in acts of worship

Question:
Should a Muslim utter the intention (niyyah) when he starts to do an act of worship, such as saying, “I intend to do wudoo’”, “I intend to pray”, “I intend to fast” and so on?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked about the intention when starting to do an act of worship such as praying etc., do we need to utter it verbally, such as saying, “I intend to pray, I intend to fast”?

He replied:

Praise be to Allaah.

The intention of purifying oneself by doing wudoo’ ghusl or tayammum, of praying, fasting, paying zakaah, offering kafaarah (expiation) and other acts of worship does not need to be uttered verbally, according to the consensus of the imaams of Islam. Rather the place of intention is the heart, according to the consensus among them. If a person utters something by mistake that goes against what is in his heart, then what counts is what he intended, not what he said.

No one has mentioned any difference of opinion concerning this matter, except that some of the later followers of al-Shaafa’i expressed approval of that, but some of the leaders of this madhhab said that this was wrong. But in the dispute among the scholars as to whether it is mustahabb to utter one’s intention, there are two points of view. Some of the companions of Abu Haneefah, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad said that it is mustahabb to utter the intention so as to make it stronger.

Some of the companions of Maalik, Ahmad and others said that it is not mustahabb to utter it, because that is a bid’ah (innovation). It was not narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his Sahaabah did it or that he commanded anyone among his ummah to utter the intention. That is not known from any of the Muslims. If that had been prescribed then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions would not have neglected it, as it has to do with worship which the ummah does every day and night.

This is the more correct view. Indeed, uttering the intention is a of irrational thinking and falling short in religious commitment. In terms of falling short in religious commitment, that is because it is bid’ah (an innovation). In terms of irrational thinking, that is because it is like a person who wants to eat some food saying, “I intend to put my hand in this vessel, take out a morsel of food, put it in my mouth and chew it, then swallow it, and eat until I have had my fill.” This is sheer foolishness and ignorance.

Intention is connected to knowledge. If a person knows what he is doing then he has obviously made an intention. It cannot be imagined, if he knows what he wants to do, that he has not formed an intention. The imaams are agreed that speaking the intention out loud and repeating it is not prescribed in Islam, rather the person who has made this a habit should be disciplined and told not to worship Allaah by following bid’ah and not to disturb others by raising his voice. And Allaah knows best.

Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 1/214, 215

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13337&ln=eng&txt=intention%20before%20praying

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

jazak Allah khair....

many ppl r unaware that verbal "niyyat" is not necessary for offering namaz etc....

however it is required to verbally declare the niyyat for ehram for umrah/hajj....

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

JAK. thank u for sharing pinks. :)

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

JAK for sharing it pinko…:hugz:

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

I concur.

Nice read Gulabo. JazakhAllah Khair!

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

^ this is my understanding as well ........

but I have heard some people say that it depends on which madhab you follow......is this correct?

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

Jazakillah pink.

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

I wouldn't know but the answer did mention...

[Quote]
The intention of purifying oneself by doing wudoo’ ghusl or tayammum, of praying, fasting, paying zakaah, offering kafaarah (expiation) and other acts of worship does not need to be uttered verbally, according to the consensus of the imaams of Islam.
[/Quote]

and Wa Iyyakum everyone :)

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

Good Stuff thanks!

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

:)

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

na kehnay ka gunah nahi
zaban say kehnay ka sawab shaied mill jaiey
whats wrong with verbally saying it?
you are soo short of time that a few seconds would make you miss your prayer?

I am in total agreement with the fatwa - thanks for posting

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

^ JB Unlce you kind of confused me :konfused: you agree with the fatwa but you think those who follow is are being tight on time? i think the issue here may be that it’s considered as a Bidah to some extent by the fact that we have made it a part of our Salat.

Re: Niyat For Namaz.

SAlam,

There is no gunah per se, but have you observed, realised at times in your heart you have the niyyah of Asr salah but you are uttering from your tongue Zuhr Salah dont you think even before you start your salah Satan is already intepreting you.
Next when you give the zakat do you say the niyat loudly kyon yahan par sawab zyada nahi milega.
Regarding, Angel Eyes yes it again depends on the madhab. But in the sub continent, why do we have to say the niyah in Urdu any particular logic for it.
Regards.