I have a question regarding the verbalization of intention when the pilgrim says: "Labbaik 'Umrah," or when the one offering the sacrifice says: "This is for so-and-so" at the time of slaughter. I hope you will clarify this issue.
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The questioner : He says: It is difficult for me, O honorable Shaykh, to understand the verbalization of intention when the pilgrim says, for example, "Labbaik 'Umrah," or when the one offering the sacrifice says, "This is for so-and-so," meaning naming the owner of the sacrifice at the time of slaughter. I hope you will clarify this issue.
The Shaykh : There is no problem with that, because when the one offering the sacrifice says, "This is for me and for my family," he is reporting what is in his heart. He did not say, "O Allah, I intend to offer a sacrifice," as one who verbalizes the intention does. Rather, he merely expressed what is in his heart. Otherwise, the intention precedes the act from the moment he brought the sacrificial animal, laid it down, and slaughtered it; he had already intended it. The same applies to the rites of pilgrimage: "Labbaik Hajj, Labbaik 'Umrah." This is not a matter of initiating the intention, because people have already intended it beforehand. For this reason, it is not prescribed to say, "O Allah, I intend 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend Hajj." No, intend with your heart and respond with your tongue. As for verbalizing the intention in matters other than Hajj, 'Umrah, and the sacrifice, it is well known that this is not prescribed. It is not recommended for a person, when he intends to perform ablution, to say, "O Allah, I intend to perform ablution," or "O Allah, I have intended to perform ablution," or in prayer, "O Allah, I intend to pray," or "O Allah, I have intended to pray." All of this is not prescribed. And the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Yes.
The Shaykh : There is no problem with that, because when the one offering the sacrifice says, "This is for me and for my family," he is reporting what is in his heart. He did not say, "O Allah, I intend to offer a sacrifice," as one who verbalizes the intention does. Rather, he merely expressed what is in his heart. Otherwise, the intention precedes the act from the moment he brought the sacrificial animal, laid it down, and slaughtered it; he had already intended it. The same applies to the rites of pilgrimage: "Labbaik Hajj, Labbaik 'Umrah." This is not a matter of initiating the intention, because people have already intended it beforehand. For this reason, it is not prescribed to say, "O Allah, I intend 'Umrah," or "O Allah, I intend Hajj." No, intend with your heart and respond with your tongue. As for verbalizing the intention in matters other than Hajj, 'Umrah, and the sacrifice, it is well known that this is not prescribed. It is not recommended for a person, when he intends to perform ablution, to say, "O Allah, I intend to perform ablution," or "O Allah, I have intended to perform ablution," or in prayer, "O Allah, I intend to pray," or "O Allah, I have intended to pray." All of this is not prescribed. And the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Yes.