What is niyya in worship?

Niyya is the intention and purpose from which an action proceeds. A well-known hadith says that actions are by intentions. Scholars distinguish between an intention that tells one act of worship apart from another, and an intention by which the purpose of drawing near to God is recognised.

Niyya is the intention and will from which an action proceeds. A sound hadith states that actions are by intentions ¹. The entry on intention presents its meaning in detail. Intention combines worship and sincerity. Among its meanings is what the entry explains about distinguishing acts of worship from one another. Whoever wishes to see its effect on acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting, can begin with the entry on prayer and the entry on fasting Ramadan.

The details and the disagreements are added in their related entries.