Is verbalizing the intention in Hajj an innovation?
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The questioner : He says:The questioner : A book titled *Sharh Riyaad al-Saaliheen* has been published for you, may Allah guide you. We ask Allah to make its benefit widespread. I read in the beginning of this book your explanation, may Allah guide you, of the verses that indicate the obligation of intention in every act. You mentioned that any intention verbalized in any act is an innovation, and you gave as examples prayer, fasting, and Hajj. Is verbalizing the intention for Hajj included in this innovation, or is that a slip of the tongue?
The Shaykh : This is not a slip of the tongue. Verbalizing the intention for Hajj is like verbalizing the intention for fasting, zakah, and prayer. That is, a person does not say, "O Allah, I intend to perform 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj." Rather, he intends in his heart and expresses what is in his heart with his tongue by saying, "Labbaik 'Umrah." However, if he speaks the intention before entering the state of consecration (ihram) and says, "O Allah, I intend such and such," that is an innovation. This is because it has not been reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said, when he intended to enter the state of consecration for 'Umrah or Hajj, "O Allah, I intend to perform 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj."
The Shaykh : This is not a slip of the tongue. Verbalizing the intention for Hajj is like verbalizing the intention for fasting, zakah, and prayer. That is, a person does not say, "O Allah, I intend to perform 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj." Rather, he intends in his heart and expresses what is in his heart with his tongue by saying, "Labbaik 'Umrah." However, if he speaks the intention before entering the state of consecration (ihram) and says, "O Allah, I intend such and such," that is an innovation. This is because it has not been reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said, when he intended to enter the state of consecration for 'Umrah or Hajj, "O Allah, I intend to perform 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj."