Is it permissible to verbalize the intention in obligatory fasting or voluntary prayer?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to verbalize the intention in obligatory fasting or voluntary prayer?
The Shaykh : Verbalizing the intention in all acts of worship is a religious innovation (bid'ah). So a person should not say when performing ablution, "O Allah, I intend to perform ablution," nor when praying, "I intend to pray," nor when giving charity, "I intend to give charity," nor when fasting, "I intend to fast," nor when performing Hajj, "I intend to perform Hajj." Verbalizing the intention in all acts of worship has not been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And why would you verbalize the intention? Is not the place of the intention the heart?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Does not Allah (Mighty and Majestic) say:[Qaf 50:16]? Yes, He says this. So Allah knows the intention. How do you inform your Lord that you are intending? One might say, "I say this to show sincerity to Allah." We say: Sincerity is also in the heart. The intention in the heart is sufficient. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. The questioner says.
The Shaykh : Verbalizing the intention in all acts of worship is a religious innovation (bid'ah). So a person should not say when performing ablution, "O Allah, I intend to perform ablution," nor when praying, "I intend to pray," nor when giving charity, "I intend to give charity," nor when fasting, "I intend to fast," nor when performing Hajj, "I intend to perform Hajj." Verbalizing the intention in all acts of worship has not been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And why would you verbalize the intention? Is not the place of the intention the heart?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Does not Allah (Mighty and Majestic) say:
And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنْسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. The questioner says.