Fatwa #299917 June 2001United Kingdom
Is niyyah (intention) permissible in Urdu before prayer?
Question
IT HAS COME TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT A NEEYAT (AN INTENTION MADE BEFORE PRAYER) IS NOT PERMISSIBLE, IS THIS TRUE OR FALSE. MY PARENTS HAVE TOLD ME I MUST DO A NEEYAT. WHAT SHALL I DO? JAZAKALLAH
Answer
Niyyat (to make Niyyat) is an integral part of all actions. Without Niyyat,
an action is void of Thawaab. There are certain Ibaadat where Niyyat is a
prerequisite for its validity, e.g. Salaat.
However, Niyyat is an act of the heart. Hence, if a person is certain in his
heart that he is performing Dhuhr Salaat, for example, and he utters Asr
Salaat by mistake, his Dhuhr Salaat will still be valid. A verbal intention
may be made before commencing Salaat. It could be made in any language,
keeping in mind that you do not inconvenience the person standing next to
you, e.g. raising the voice when making Niyyat, etc. (Sharhul Wiqaayat
pg.139)
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
an action is void of Thawaab. There are certain Ibaadat where Niyyat is a
prerequisite for its validity, e.g. Salaat.
However, Niyyat is an act of the heart. Hence, if a person is certain in his
heart that he is performing Dhuhr Salaat, for example, and he utters Asr
Salaat by mistake, his Dhuhr Salaat will still be valid. A verbal intention
may be made before commencing Salaat. It could be made in any language,
keeping in mind that you do not inconvenience the person standing next to
you, e.g. raising the voice when making Niyyat, etc. (Sharhul Wiqaayat
pg.139)
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.