Question:
Assalamualaikum Dato’ Seri Mufti, when should one set the intention for prayer, is it before or during the takbir?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt. wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Intention is defined as:
قَصْدُ الشَيْءِ مُقْتَرِنًا بِفِعْلِهِ ، وَمَحَلُّهَا القَلْبُ
Intention of performing something is accompanied by the action. And its place is in the heart. (See: Fath al-Qarib, pg. 75)
Regarding the above question, we include several opinions of scholars from madhab Syafi’e:
- Imam al-Nawawi: “Intention is in the heart. And it is sunnah (mandub) to recite it before the takbir.” (See: Minhaj al-Talibin, 1/343)
- Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haitami said: “It is sunnah (mandub) to recite what is intentioned a moment before the takbir, so that the tongue could guide the heart and also because there are those who obligate it and it is also analogically deduced (qiyas) to what happens in hajj.” (See Tuhfah al-Muhtaj, Juzuk 2)
- Imam al-Ramli said: “It is Sunnah to recite what one has set an intention for before takbir so that the tongue could guide the heart and prevent doubts and come closer towards the opinion of some scholars who issued the fatwa that it is obligatory.” (See: Nihayah al-Muhtaj, 1/340)
- Syeikh al-Islam Zakaria al-Ansari said: “the intention is recited before takbir so that its pronouncement could guide the heart.” (See Fath al-Wahab, Volume 1)
- Syeikh Zainuddin al-Malibari said: “It is Sunnah to recite one’s intention before takbir so that it could guide one’s heart and closer to the fatwa that obligates it.” (See Fath al-Mu’in, Chapter Solat (Prayer))
According to the above discussion, it is clear that the intention precedes takbir. It is also stated that intention is in the heart but reciting it with one’s tongue helps guide the heart and is permissible according to the famous opinions among Syafi’iyyah scholars.
May this explanation give us a good understanding in performing our worship of prayer the best way possible. Amin.