Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
What is the ruling on verbalizing the intention (niyyah) for wudu and prayer?
Answer:
The ruling is that this practice is a bid'ah (innovation) because verbalizing the intention is not proven from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or the Companions. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon it. The place of intention is the heart, so there is absolutely no need to articulate the intention verbally.
(And Allah is the bestower of success.)
Question:
What is the ruling on verbalizing the intention (niyyah) for wudu and prayer?
Answer:
The ruling is that this practice is a bid'ah (innovation) because verbalizing the intention is not proven from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or the Companions. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon it. The place of intention is the heart, so there is absolutely no need to articulate the intention verbally.
وَاللهُ وَلِيُّ التَّوْفِيقِ
(And Allah is the bestower of success.)