Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

The intention is an integral of the prayer. In fact  Ibn Al-Mundhir states in his work collecting the consensus of the Muslim scholars (Ijma’),

“The scholars have consensus (Ijma‘) that Salah is not accepted without niyyah (intention).” [Al-‘Ijma’, 41]

It must be formulated internally i.e. in the heart. Realizing and being conscious of one’s purpose is what is required. Even if one would articulate (with  the tongue) an intention contrary to what is in the heart, this would not be a problem; while if one articulated an intention, while the heart remained inattentive, it would be invalid. (Hashiyat al-Tarmasi v. 1, p. 572-73)

Imam Al-Khatib Ash-Shirbini (rahimhullah) stated in his Al-Iqna’,

“And the niyyah is within the heart according to the consensus of the Jurists (ijma’). It does not suffice to say the intention upon the tongue while being heedless within the heart according to the Ijma’ of the Muslims, and this pertains to the rest of the issues [of Salah as well]. If one were to say the intention with the tongue and it contradicts the intention of the heart, it does not harm [the validity], such as intending the dawn prayer while saying upon one’s tongue that one intends Thuhr. It is recommend (mandub) to say the intention with the scheduled Salah right before the opening Takbir for Salah…” [Vol. 2 pg. 138 of Al-Bujayrimi ‘ala Al-Khatib, Dar Al Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah]

In formulating one’s intention one must specify:

1) that one is going to pray,

2) specify which prayer one is going to perform,

3) and that it is an obligatory prayer. (Jarhazi on al-Minhaj al-Qawim v. 1, p. 351; Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. p. 180)

In clarifying the ruling of mentioning the intention upon the tongue the relied upon position of our madhhab is that it only recommended– not obligatory – to articulate the intention. Imam An-Nawawi (Rahimahullah) says in his Al-Minhaj,

“…and the Niyyah is within the heart, and pronouncing it before the saying of the Takbir is recommend (mandub).”

He states in his Majmu’, “If one makes the intention within his heart and does not does not pronounce it, such is permissible according to the Madhdhab, this was stated by the majority […he then mentions a weak opinion narrated by Abu Abdullah Az-Zubairi that stated it was obligatory to do both…to which Imam An-Nawawi said, ‘Our companions [from the Shafi’is] say this [opinion] is an error! [vol 3 page 241].

The reason that the Shafi’is consider articulating the intention as recommended is two-fold: 1) some ‘ulama‘ considered it obligatory [such as the author Al-Bayan, Al Yamani]. Although this is a very weak view, it is better to avoid practicing upon a difference of opinion. 2) As assistance to the heart to formulate an intention free from neurotic misgivings. (Nihayat al-Muhtaj v. 1, p. 457)

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.