FatwaFederal TerritoriesPrayer (Salah)
AL-KAFI #945: NIAT SOLAT: SEBELUM ATAU SEMASA TAKBIR?
Should the intention for prayer be made before the takbir or during the takbir?
Short answer
The intention resides in the heart, and according to the Shafi'i scholars cited in this fatwa, it may be made before the takbir.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Prayer (Salah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The intention resides in the heart, and according to the Shafi'i scholars cited in this fatwa, it may be made before the takbir. Verbalising the intention shortly before the takbir is recommended because it helps the heart focus and keeps away doubts. The fatwa describes this as the well-known view among Shafi'i scholars.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Kata Imam al-Nawawi: "Niat itu di dalam hati. Dan sunat (mandub) mengucapkannya sebelum takbir."
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #945: NIAT SOLAT: SEBELUM ATAU SEMASA TAKBIR?”, 9 December 2018. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/2851-al-kafi-945-niat-solat-sebelum-atau-semasa-takbir. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/prayer-intention-before-or-during-takbir/