Faith Companion · Beginner Guide

What Is Niyyah? Intention in Islamic Worship

Intention helps explain the purpose behind worship. A well-known hadith on actions and intentions appears at the beginning of Sahih al-Bukhari.

Intention is more than a formula

The concept concerns what a person intends to do and why. It should not be reduced to repeating words without understanding.

Should intention be spoken aloud?

Views on verbal expression vary in discussions of particular acts of worship. Learn the practical ruling from a reliable teacher.

Sources and scope

The hadith on actions and intentions is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1. Its application to specific rituals involves further jurisprudential discussion.

Read the primary source. This introductory article is not a complete legal ruling; consult a qualified scholar for school-specific details.

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Read the related introduction and then follow a complete guided lesson to understand the practice and its sources.

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