Niyah (Intention)

The intention distinguishes the worship from the habit !

Take for example al-ghusl (taking a bath): If it is done intending to lift the janabah (the sexual defilement) then it is ‘Ibaadah (worship). And if it is done for cleansing or to cool off then it is ‘aadah (a habit).

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Ameerul-Mu’mineen, Abi Hafs (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

The value of an action depends on the intention behind it. A man will be rewarded only for what he intended. The emigration of one who emigrates for the sake of Allaah and His Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) is for the sake of Allaah and His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ; and the emigration of one who emigrates for gaining a worldly advantage or for marrying a woman is for what he has emigrated.”

[Sahih Muslim, Book 020, Number 4692]

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The subject of the hadeeth is making clear the rank of the intention vis-a-vis the actions. This is a great and comprehensive hadeeth, making clear that the intention is comprehensive, covering all actions such that there is no action without intention. And therefore, the actions correctness or corruption, the reward upon it or the punishment, is dependent upon the intention. And each person shall have but that which he intended, whether it is a noble objective or a lowly, despicable one.

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), made that clear in order to incite the doer to aim high in his intention seeking Allaah’s Face and the Final Abode and to keep away from the lowly intentions and base ranks. So if the intention is correct, intending the Face of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa), then it is acceptable and if otherwise then it will not be (acceptable) because Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa) is Most Sufficient and in no need of partners.

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Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The intention is an essential condition of wudoo’, ghusl and tayammum being valid, and there is no difference of opinion among us concerning that. This is the view of Maalik, al-Layth ibn Sa’d, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Dawood.

They quoted as evidence the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)”

[al-Bayyinah 98:5]

Worshipping none but Allaah with sincere devotion is an action of the heart; this is intention, and the command here shows that it is obligatory.

From the Sunnah, we have the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

“Actions are but by intentions.”

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It should be noted that the seat of the intention is the heart, and it is not prescribed to utter it out loud.

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.