Shortened Question:
Is it necessary to make niyyah before performing Salat?
Question:
I would like to know if it is necessary to make niyyah before performing Salat, 2 Rakats Fard Salat?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The word nyyah means to make intention (to do something).
It is farz (compulsory) to make niyyah before performing Salat.
If one does not make niyyah before performing Salat then the Salat will be invalid.
The niyyah for the Salat must be made before commencing. The niyyah should be made just before reciting the Takhbir-e-Tahrimah (the first Allahu Akbar). Anything that is said after the niyyah will break the niyyah and a new niyyah will have to be made before starting the Salat. The niyya should state briefly the Salat that is about to be performed. For example, one would say I make niyyah to perform 4 rakats Fard. Salatu Zuhr. [1]
Niyyah is from the heart where one is conscious of what he doing. Verbal intention is not necessary. However, it is advisable to softly make verbal niyyah to strengthen the niyyah of the heart.
If the Salat is being performed behind an Imam then one must include in his niyyah that he is performing Salat behind the Imam. For example one would say I make niyyah to perform 4 rakats Fard. Salatu Zuhr, behind this Imam.[2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Saeed Ahmed Golaub
Islamic Solutions
Jamaica
[1]:قال: ” وينوي الصلاة التي يدخل فيها بنية لا يفصل بينها وبين التحريمة بعمل ” والأصل فيه قوله عليه الصلاة والسلام ” الأعمال بالنيات ” ولأن ابتداء الصلاة بالقيام وهو متردد بين العادة والعبادة ولا يقع التمييز بالنية والمتقدم على التكبير كالقائم عنده إذا لم يوجد ما يقطعه وهو عمل لا يليق بالصلاة ولا معتبرة بالمتأخرة منها عنه لأن ما مضى لا يقع عبادة لعدم النية الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي (1 / 46)
[2]:وإن كان مقتديا بغيره ينوي الصلاة ومتابعته ” لأنه يلزمه فساد الصلاة من جهته فلا بد من التزامه. الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي (1 / 46)