The Ruling on Forming the Intention Before Prayer and Ablution

Question:
May Allah reward you. We are taking a call from our brother Abu Yusuf from Al-Khabar. Welcome, Abu Yusuf, please go ahead. Peace be upon you. And upon you, peace. Peace be upon you. I am Abshir, Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim. Welcome, Shaykh. By Allah, Shaykh Salih, I love you for the sake of Allah, may Allah preserve you. I have two questions, may Allah keep you well. Please, raise your voice a little. The first question is: What is the ruling on forming the intention before prayer and before ablution? Its ruling and how it is done. The second question. A moment, forming the intention before ablution. What is the ruling on the difference in intention between the imam and the one praying behind him in congregation? Yes. Thank you.

Answer:
The intention is necessary; the intention is necessary for deeds. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: It is a condition for the validity of prayer, the validity of fasting, and acts of worship, and ablution is among the conditions for that: the intention. So if he does not form the intention, his worship is not valid. The place of the intention is the heart, and it is not to be uttered with the tongue. Its time is when one intends to enter into the act of worship; its time is when one intends to enter into the act of worship. So if he intends to perform ablution, he forms the intention; if he intends to pray, he forms the intention; if he intends to fast, he forms the intention, and so on. Yes.