niyya

Niyya, also spelled niyyah, is an Arabic term meaning intention or purpose. In Islamic thought, it refers to the inner resolve or plan with which a person performs an action, especially acts of worship. The concept derives from the Arabic root related to aiming or intending. Niyya is frequently discussed in hadith literature and fiqh, where it is treated as a determining factor in the moral and spiritual value of deeds.

In Islamic jurisprudence, the intention is considered essential for the acceptance and reward of worship. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “Actions are by intentions,” a principle transmitted in collections such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. People are generally understood to form the niyya in the heart rather than aloud; it should precede the act. Different legal schools (madhahib) vary on whether a general intention can cover a period or whether a specific intention is required for each act, but there is broad agreement that a sincere intention shapes the authenticity and reward of deeds.

Niyya is applied most prominently to acts of worship such as prayer (salat), fasting (sawm), almsgiving (zakat), and pilgrimage (hajj). Beyond ritual duties, some scholars discuss niyya in the context of everyday actions, emphasizing sincerity and alignment with God’s will. In Sufi and contemplative traditions, the concept is often explored as inner sincerity and the purification of motive, not merely formal compliance. Today, niyya remains a central term in Islamic ethics and jurisprudence, illustrating how motive is integral to the meaning of actions.