niyyah

Niyyah, from the Arabic root meaning intention or motive, is a central concept in Islam describing the inward resolve to perform an act of worship for the sake of Allah. The idea is widely captured in the hadith, “Actions are by intentions,” which is commonly cited to emphasize that the moral value of an action hinges on the walker’s purpose rather than outward form alone.

In practice, niyyah is considered an inward commitment that must accompany outward acts of worship to be valid or spiritually meaningful. The intention should be to please God and to perform the act in accordance with Islamic law. While some schools advise reciting the intention aloud, most traditional Sunni and Shia authorities hold that the essential element is a sincere inner resolve, with the outward act executed for the purpose of obedience.

Scope and application vary by act. Obligatory acts such as ritual prayer (salat), fasting (sawm), zakat, and pilgrimage (hajj) require a clear intention to perform that specific act for the sake of Allah. Voluntary acts, such as extra prayers or charitable giving, also require intention to be regarded as worshipful. Some acts, like ablution (wudu) or ritual purification, involve intention to perform the purification itself, though exact requirements differ among legal schools.

Sincerity (ikhlas) accompanies niyyah, stressing that actions should seek God’s pleasure rather than personal gain or display. Across madhabs, the core message remains: the inward intention shapes the worth and validity of outward worship.