Niyyah (Intention)
The conscious intention in the heart to perform a specific prayer.
Niyyah (Arabic: نية) means "intention" and is a fundamental requirement for all actions in Islam, including prayer. Niyyah is the conscious intention in the heart to perform a specific action for Allah's sake.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get what was his intention." Before the prayer, one must have a clear intention about which prayer one will pray (e.g., "I intend to pray the four obligatory rak'ah of the Dhuhr prayer for Allah").
Niyyah is in the heart — it does not need to be spoken aloud, although some schools of law recommend it. The important thing is that one is conscious of what one is doing and that one does it sincerely for Allah's sake. A prayer without niyyah is not valid.
Related terms
Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The first of the five daily prayers, performed at dawn.
Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
The third daily prayer, performed in the afternoon.
Du'a al-Iftitah (The Opening Supplication)
A beautiful supplication recited during Ramadan nights, attributed to Imam al-Mahdi.
Du'a Jawshan al-Kabir (The Great Armor)
A long supplication with 1000 of Allah's names and attributes, recited during Ramadan nights.
Qasr (Shortened Prayer)
The permission to shorten the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ah during travel.
Masjid al-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque)
The third holiest mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem, connected to the Prophet's nocturnal journey.