The word · Worship
نِيَّة
Niyyah
The intention in the heart that turns an ordinary act into an act of worship.
Also written · Niyya · Niyat · Niyyat · Neeyah · Niyah · Niyet · intention · making intention
The meaning
What Niyyah means in Islam
Every act of worship needs a niyyah, and the Prophet said actions are only by intentions. It lives in the heart, so knowing which prayer you have stood up for is already the intention. The schools differ over whether saying it aloud helps: Shafi'is and Hanbalis allow it as an aid to focus, Malikis prefer it left unsaid, and none of them count the spoken words as the intention itself.
Evidence · Scholars differ · The scholars read this one differently
Read beside it
Words that sit beside it
- SalahThe formal Muslim prayer, performed five times a day at set times, facing Makkah.الصَّلاة
- SawmFasting: abstaining from food, drink and intimacy from true dawn until sunset, with intention.صَوْم
- IhramThe sanctified state a pilgrim enters with intention and talbiyah, marked by simple unsewn dress.إِحْرام
- Khushu'Stillness of the body and attention of the heart during prayer.خُشوع
More from Worship
- AdhanThe call announcing that a prayer time has entered, given aloud before each obligatory prayer.أَذان
- HalqShaving the head after the rites, which releases the pilgrim from the state of ihram.حَلْق
- KhumsA fifth of certain wealth; in Sunni law on spoils and treasure, in Shia practice a yearly payment.خُمْس
- QiblahThe direction of the Kaaba in Makkah, which Muslims face when they pray.قِبْلَة
- SuhurThe meal eaten before dawn to begin a day of fasting.سُحور
- TarawihThe night prayer of Ramadan, prayed in congregation after Isha through the month.تَراويح