Niyyat (Intention)

965. A person should offer prayers with the intention of Qurbat, that is complying with the orders of the Almighty Allah. It is not, however necessary that he should make the Niyyat pass through his mind, or should, for example, utter “I am offering four Rak’ats of Zuhr prayers Qurbatan illal lah.”

966. If a person stands for Zuhr prayers or for Asr prayers with Niyyat to offer four Rak’ats without specifying whether it is Zuhr or Asr prayers, his prayers are void. Similarly, if he wants to offer a Qadha Zuhr prayers at the time of Zuhr prayers of the day, or the Qadha.

967. A person should be conscious and aware of his Niyyat, from the beginning of the prayers till its end. Hence, if, during the prayers he becomes so lost that he is unable to say what he is doing, if asked, his prayer is void.

968. A person should offer prayers to carry out the orders of the Almighty Allah only. So, if a person prays to show off to the people, his prayers is void. It will be void even if he couples the intention of showing off, with the performance for the pleasure of Allah.

969. If a person offers one part of his Namaz for the sake of anyone other than Allah, whether that show off part is an obligatory part like Hamd and Surah, or a recommendatory part such as Qunut, it is void. Even if a person offers his Namaz for Allah, but offers it in a certain place like mosque, or in certain time such as prime time or in a special way such as mass prayer, his Namaz is void.