Intention (Niyah)

Intention is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought.

198940

Intention (Niyah) . Sadaqa (Charity) . Stealing

When I was aged around 15-17, I took a small item from a street vendor during a school trip. I regret this, but I can't identify him or the location. Can I give its value as Sadaqa on his behalf? Is making an intention in my mind sufficient?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 months ago

If you have taken something from a person and you can't trace him or his inheritors , you can give the amount as a Sadaqa on his behalf to poor believers. You make such intention and give the amount to the poor on his behalf.

Wassalam.

195701

Vow . Oath . Covenant . Intention (Niyah)

What is the distinction between a vow, an oath, and a covenant? How does one know which one was made if one did not make any specific intention or recite any specific formula?

Vow نذر when you commit to do a worship like fasting or praying recommended Prayers like Night prayer, or good act like helping needy or give something in good cause if you get your wish.

Oath يمين is when you take oath to do something good or leave a bad deed like taking oath to leave smoking or leave attending mixed gatherings etc.

Covenant عهد is when you promise Allah (SWT) to do something good or leave something bad.
Fulfillment of vow, oath and covenant is obligatory.

If you don't remember what intention you had, you need to just fulfill what you had committed no matter what was whether vow or oath or covenant as all of them share a commitment which must be fulfilled. Failing to fulfill the commitment is a sinful act.

Wassalam.

193584

Qadha . Intention (Niyah) . Salah (Prayers) . Nafl . Salatul Layl

Does the distinction between Qada’ and Ada’ in Niyyah apply solely to obligatory prayers? Do voluntary prayers like Salat al-Layl, when performed after Fajr, remain voluntary and not subject to Ada’ or Qada’, with the intention being Qurbatan ila Allah?

As obligatory Prayers have Adaa' when it is performed within its time, and Qadha; when it is performed after its time, recommended prayers also have Adaa' when it is performed within it's time, and Qadha when it is performed after it's time. Qurbatan ilallah is a condition in every worship, yet Adaa and Qadha should be in your intention.

Wassalam.

176025

Ghusl . Menstruation (Haidh) . Arabic . Intention (Niyah) . Salah (Prayers) . Wudu (Ablution)

What is the Niyyah to be recited for the five prayers, Wudu, and the Ghusl after menstruation? Does the Niyyah have to be recited in Arabic or can it be in the mind?

Niyyah for every worship like Wudhu, Ghusl, Salah etc is the intention in our mind and heart and we do not need to recite it at all. It is not required to recite the Niyyah except in the worship of Hajj and Umrah where it is recommended not obligatory to recite the Niyyah in any language which you understand.

‘Wassalam.

172102

Istikhara . Travel . Intention (Niyah)

Do I need to perform Istikhara prior to each vacation? How specific should my intention be? Is it necessary to include destinations and specific dates in my intention?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 2 years ago

You do not need to perform istikhara prior to vacation. In fact, it is probably better not to do so, unless you have some uncertainty.

112334

Intention (Niyah) . God (Allah)

What should the intention of a person be if he wanted to go on the path of Allah? What is the best intention for every act?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 2 years ago

Qurbatan ilallah. Seeking nearness to Allah

168713

Salah (Prayers) . Ziyarat Ashura . Ziyarat Waritha . Intention (Niyah)

What distinguishes Ziyarat Waritha from Ziyarat Ashura? Are the two Rakat of Salah performed after each Ziyarat identical? What is the intention (niyyah) for each Salah?

Both Ziyarat waarith and Ziyarat Ashura are great,although Ziyarat Ashura has a greater importance to be recited everyday and.

The two Rak’ats of namaz of Ziyarat are the same,and the intention of it is the same:Qurbatan Ila Allah[for the sake of Allah]

wassalam.

164683

Umrah . Children . Ihram . Intention (Niyah)

Are children of ages 10, 8, and 1 required to follow the rules of Ihram when traveling for Umrah? If so, what should their Niyyah for umrah be?

Children (boys) are allowed during Ihraam to travel in a covered vehicle during day and night.

'They should avoid acts which are unlawful during Ihraam as much as they can.

Niyyah for Umrah is Qurbatan Elallah قربة.إلي الله

Wassalam.

164538

Fajr . Intention (Niyah) . Salah (Prayers)

What is the intention for the two units of prayer that are performed before the obligatory two units of the Fajr prayer?

It is recommended to perform Nafila of morning Prayer which is two units before performing the obligatory morning Prayer. The intention is for the sake of Allah (Qurbatan elallah).

Wassalam.

145769

Intention (Niyah) . Prostration (sujud) . Salah (Prayers)

What is the proper Niyyat or intention for performing Sajda Sahu during prayers? Is it sufficient to simply say "I intend to pray Sajda Sahu"? If someone misspeaks or mispronounces the Niyyat, should they repeat the prayer?

Sajda Sahu must be be performed immediately after the Salaam with out any separation or speaking. Sajda Sahu intention should be just in your heart that you are doing Sajda Sahu for the sake Allah, with out saying anything.

Wassalam.

144685

Hope . Sabr (Patience) . Employment . Intention (Niyah)

How can I perform a true Niyat? I always lose hope and resolve after making an aim and I lack patience for hard work. How can I get out of this state?

We always need to strengthen our will power and that does not come through just wishing but through hard work and constant training.

Fasting is one of the practices which help strengthening will power, and also Night Prayer (Salat Al-Layl or Namaz e Shab) and any good work which your desire does not like but you do it for the sake of Allah.

Wassalam.

141045

Salah (Prayers) . Takbir . Intention (Niyah)

When are we allowed to change the intention of the prayers once commenced? If we started with intending Qaza of say Maghrib, can we then change the intention after Takbeeratul Ihram to performing the Qaza of Isha?

Changing the intention of the Prayer after Takbiratul Ihraam is allowed if someone starts a Prayer then remembers that he did perform the Prayer before it, he will then allowed to change his intention to the previous Prayer which he did not perform. It is not allowed to change the intention to a future or coming Prayer.

Wassalam.