niyyat

Niyyah, from the Arabic نيّة (intention or motive), is a central concept in Islamic law and spirituality. It denotes the mental resolve to perform a given act with a particular purpose, and in many contexts is linked to the belief that the action will be judged by the intention behind it. The term comes from the triliteral root n-w-y, related to intention, direction, and decision.

In Islamic jurisprudence, the validity and reward of an act often depend on the presence of a proper niyyah. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “Actions are (judged) by intentions,” a hadith found in major collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. This emphasis means that two people performing the same outward act may have different moral standing based on their inner motive.

Practically, niyyah is generally required for acts of worship, including ritual prayers (salah), fasting, almsgiving (zakat), and pilgrimage (hajj). The intention is usually formed in the heart rather than spoken aloud, and most jurists say it does not need to be declared verbally; it may be established at the moment of starting the act or even in the days leading up to it, depending on the act and school of law. For everyday, non-worship actions, the legal requirement for niyyah is typically less strict, though sincerity and proper aim remain valued.

In addition to its legal function, niyyah is often discussed in spiritual and ethical contexts, where it is linked to sincerity (ikhlas) and the inner orientation of a believer toward God and moral good.