Source: Shumara al-Sunnah, Jhelum
✘ Verbalizing the intention is not proven from the Shari‘ah.
✔ True intention is in the heart, and it suffices for all acts of worship.
Prompting people to “make intention” verbally before Salat al-Janazah has no basis in Sunnah.
It is not part of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings or that of his companions.
Such acts fall under unwarranted religious innovation.
❖ Question:
What is the Shar‘i ruling on telling people “make your intention” (niyyat kar lo) before offering the Funeral Prayer (Salat al-Janazah)?❖ Answer:
This practice is a bid‘ah (innovation) and a form of misguidance (ضلالت). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to instruct the alignment of rows before prayers, but he never instructed anyone to make or verbalize intention before any prayer, including the Janazah prayer.❖ Scholarly Clarification:
Some imams go so far as to recite phrases of intention aloud, but:✘ Verbalizing the intention is not proven from the Shari‘ah.
✔ True intention is in the heart, and it suffices for all acts of worship.
❖ Summary:
Prompting people to “make intention” verbally before Salat al-Janazah has no basis in Sunnah. It is not part of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings or that of his companions. Such acts fall under unwarranted religious innovation.