the intention a sunnah practice or not?

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Imām Ahmad was asked about a man who leaves his home to pray: must he form his intention at the time of prayer? He replied: “He already formed his intention when he left.”

For this reason, leading scholars among his followers, such as al-Khiraqī and others, said that it suffices to form the intention before the opening takbīr (declaration of Allah’s greatness), as early as the beginning of the prayer’s appointed time. If he keeps the intention consciously in mind until he prays, that suffices by scholarly agreement. Scholars also agree that the intention need not be verbalized.

It is common knowledge that anyone who pronounces the takbīr in prayer necessarily intends to pray. If he knows that he is praying the noon prayer, then he intends the noon prayer. Whenever someone knows what he wishes to do, he necessarily intends it. But if he does not know, or forgets, the intention escapes him; this is rare.

There are two views within Ahmad’s school and elsewhere as to whether verbalizing the intention is recommended. His explicitly stated position is that it is not recommended. Abū Dāwūd said: “I asked Ahmad, ‘Does the worshipper say anything before the takbīr?’ He replied, ‘No.’”

He was also asked:

“Must the intention coincide with the takbīr? Please explain to us how it is to coincide with the takbīr, since al-Shāfi‘ī stated that prayer is not valid unless