How should the intention before the beginning of a prayer be made? Do we say it inside our heads or outloud? What do we say?

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

It is not necessary to make a verbal intention. If a person knows in his heart that he is reading the fardh of fajr for today, or if it is a sunnah, then he is reading the sunnah of fajr for today,  this will be sufficient.

If a person wishes to make a verbal intention, it is sufficient to say: I am making intention for todays fardh or todays sunnah of fajr behind so and so Imam.                                                                                                

 (Bahishti Zewar Pg 146-Zam Zam)

(Fataawa Mahmudiya V5 Pg-505 Faruqiya)

And Allah knows best

Wassalamu Alaikum

Ml. Ebrahim Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa