I was always told to make intention for salah by saying "I intend to pray 2 rakats of Nafl for Maghrib while facing the Kaba" then say Allahuakbar
But apparently:
Ibn Al-Qayyim, رحمه الله, stated in “Zaad Al-Ma’aad” or in “Al-Hudaa An-Nabawiyy”: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would stand for Salaah he said: ‘Allaahu Akbar’ and said nothing else before it nor did he pronounce his intention aloud. Nor did he say: ‘I will pray for Allaah Salaah such and such while facing the Qiblah four raka’aat as imaam or follower’.
(By Shaikh Salih aal-Shaykh)
Comments
Thats the intention that I make and I do say it verbally. This is what 'I' prefer to do because uttering it makes me focus better. But you are obviously allowed to say it in your heart- as it is an intention after all, and the prophet (S) did clearly allow it.
They did allow it but didn't practice it?
So if I just stand on my prayer mat to read Asr, but don't utter any intention and just say Allahuakbar and start on the first rakat, my salah is still valid right?
As far as i have been taught, Takbeer-e-Tahreemah, is a fardh of salat, and this is simply lifting the hands to say Allahu Akbar. It doesn't include the actual Niyaah.
I'm not too sure whether excluding the verbal say of your intention invalidates your salah. I'll need to look into that, but i've been taught to say it and so i'll stick to that.
Yes, as long as you have a clear intention in your heart.
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi