Pronouncing the intention aloud before the prayer

Question: Some people, when they start the prayer, say: “I intend to perform such-and-such prayer as an obligation upon me for Allah the Almighty.” What is the ruling on this statement? May Allah bless you.

Answer: This practice is an innovation for which Allah has sent down no authority. Nothing of the sort has been established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), his Companions, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the best generations, or the recognized juristic Imams. None of them would say, at the beginning of the prayer—or any other act of worship—“I intend such-and-such.” Instead, their intention was in their hearts, and Allah, exalted is He, knows what is in their hearts. The place of intention is the heart, not the tongue. Allah the Exalted says: “Say, ‘Are you going to inform Allah about your religion, while Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? And Allah is Knowing of all things.’” ⦗49:16⦘.

Hence this is an innovation that it is not permissible to do or to persist in. A Muslim should intend in his heart and resolve inwardly to perform the act of worship prescribed by Allah, without uttering it, because pronouncing the intention is a newly-invented innovation. As for what is ascribed to al-Shafiʿi (may Allah have mercy on him)—that he held this view—it has not been authentically established from him. What is authentically related is that he said, “Prayer is unlike other acts; it begins with remembrance (dhikr),” referring to the opening takbīr (takbīrat al-iḥrām), not to pronouncing the intention. That is not what al-Shafiʿi meant.