Intention (Niyyat)

952. A person should offer prayers with the intention of Qurbat, i.e. complying with the orders of the Almighty Allah. It is not, however, necessary that he should make the Niyyat pass through his mind, or should, for example, utter: "I am offering four Rak’ats of Zuhr prayers Qurbatan ila – llah. Rather, while offering Namaz – e – Ihtiyat, as per obligatory precaution, one should not utter the Niyyat.

953. If a person stands for Zuhr prayers or for ‘Asr prayers, with Niyyat to offer four Rak'ats without specifying whether it is Zuhr or ‘Asr prayers, his prayers are void. Similarly, if he wants to offer a Qadha Zuhr prayer at the time of Zuhr, he should specify in his Niyyat whether he is offering the Zuhr prayers of the day, or the Qadha.

954. A person should be conscious and aware of his Niyyat, from the beginning of the prayers till its end. Hence, if, during the prayers he becomes so lost that he is unable to say what he is doing, if asked, his prayer is void.

955. A person should offer prayers to carry out the orders of the Almighty Allah only. So, if a person prays to show off to the people, his prayers is void. It will be void even if he couples the intention of showing off, with the performance for the pleasure of Allah.

956. If a person offers a Wajib part of a prayer, such as Surah Al – Hamd or other Surah, or Mustahab part of prayers for the sake of anyone other than Allah, his prayers are void. However, if Mustahab part was for the sake of anyone other than Allah, then as per obligatory precaution, he should complete the Namaz and offer it again. Never the less, even if whole Namaz is offered for the sake of Allah, but for the purpose of showing off, one prays at a special place, like at the Masjid, or at a special time, like the prime time, or in a special manner, like joining Namaz – e – Jama’at, his prayers will also be void.