When is the intention in prayer, and is it obligatory to vocalize it?

The questioner : Hello.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Shaykh Muhammad.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.

The questioner : When is the intention in prayer? Is it when entering the mosque, when the iqamah is called, or when a person enters the prayer?

The Shaykh : In every case, the intention does not require a major action. As soon as a person comes and stands in the row, that is the intention.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : It is in the heart.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And do not vocalize it.

The questioner : The place of this is the heart, in secret.

The Shaykh : In secret, and do not vocalize it. It does not require saying, "I intend to pray the Zuhr."

The questioner : No, some people say it only in their heart, like the iqamah of the prayer. Some people say it in secret in their heart, like "four rak'ahs" or "two rak'ahs."

The Shaykh : Never, never. Does he not understand? Is it not Allah who legislated it?

The presenter : Glorified and Exalted is He.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : I ask you, is it not so? Who made it obligatory?

The questioner : Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He.

The Shaykh : He does not know if it is four, three, or two.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : May Allah bless you.

The questioner : Welcome, may Allah reward you with good.

The presenter : Yes.

The Shaykh : Say, "Allah."

The questioner : With peace.