Is it permissible to vocalize the intention before prayer?

Question:
We move on to another message from our esteemed listeners. One of our brother listeners asks and says: When I go to the mosque, I pray two rak'ahs and say, "I am praying two rak'ahs as the greeting of the mosque." Is this permissible, and did the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) do this?

Answer:
It is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the believer, when he enters the mosque, to pray two rak'ahs as the greeting of the mosque; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Even if the preacher is delivering the sermon on Friday, or even if it is a time when prayer is prohibited, according to the correct opinion, such as 'Asr or after Fajr. So, it is a recommended practice for him, when he enters the mosque, to pray two rak'ahs. There is no need for him to say, "I am praying two rak'ahs," or to vocalize the intention. There is no need; the intention of the heart is sufficient. Vocalizing the intention is a religious innovation (bid'ah) according to the most correct opinion of the scholars. So, do not vocalize the intention during wudu' or during prayer. Rather, with his heart, he prays the two rak'ahs of the greeting, intending them with his heart... the two rak'ahs of the greeting. And likewise, he intends Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, and 'Isha', and that is sufficient. There is no need for him to vocalize. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.