Intention (Arabic: النية) is the first and most important step in every act of worship in Islam, especially the Fajr prayer. It is what separates a habit from an act of devotion. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

> "إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى"
"Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get what they intended." (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)

This Hadith makes it clear that even before standing for prayer, we must have the correct intention in our hearts.

Niyyah is not a verbal statement. It lives in the heart. When you decide to pray Fajr only for the pleasure of Allah ﷻ, that is niyyah. You don't need to say, "I intend to pray Fajr." Just having that silent decision in your heart is enough. That is what Allah looks at, as the Prophet ﷺ taught:

> "Verily, Allah does not look at your bodies or appearances, but He looks at your hearts and deeds." (Sahih Muslim)


To help strengthen your niyyah for Fajr, start from the night before. When going to sleep, say:

> "اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى قِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ وَصَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ"
"O Allah, help me wake up for night prayer and Fajr."
This connects your heart to the worship of Allah even before your eyes close.

A beautiful example from the lives of the Sahabah is that of Bilal ibn Rabah رضي الله عنه, who was honored to be the Mu'adhin of the Prophet ﷺ. He had strong intention every day to wake for Fajr and call the Adhan. His sincerity made him the voice that echoed through Madinah, calling people to success every morning.


When you wake up, remind yourself again: "I am awake to obey Allah by praying Fajr." This reminder is enough niyyah. The Prophet ﷺ used to say when waking:

> "الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا"
"All praise is for Allah, who gave us life after death." (Bukhari)


Many people think you must speak your intention, but that is not true. Niyyah is not a tongue action, but a heart action. When you face the Qiblah with Wudhu, intending to pray two Rak'ahs of Fajr on time for Allah alone, that is complete niyyah.


The Qur'an highlights the importance of Fajr when Allah says:

> "وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا"
"And the Qur'an at dawn — indeed, it is witnessed." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:78)
Scholars explain that angels specially witness Fajr prayer, increasing its reward. So, making sincere intention for it makes your worship even more honored.

When feeling lazy or weak, renew your niyyah by remembering the words of the Prophet ﷺ:

> "The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than the world and all it contains." (Sahih Muslim)
That alone should motivate the soul to purify its intention and seek this amazing reward.

A famous Islamic poem encourages believers to rise for Fajr with strong intention:

يا نائمًا عن صلاة الفجر تنبَّهْ
فيها الرزقُ وفيها النورُ قد لاحَ
توضّأ وقلْ يا ربّ أنتَ مرادي
أُصلّي الفجرَ لوجهك بلا راحَ

Translation:
O sleeper from Fajr, wake with light,
In it is provision and guidance bright.
Make Wudhu and say, "O Lord, I pray
For You alone, not sleep or delay."

Children should be taught from an early age that niyyah means thinking in your heart, "I want to pray to please Allah." When they learn that Allah sees the heart and not the mouth, they begin to value inner sincerity. The Prophet ﷺ loved children who tried to pray, even if they didn't get everything right.

Even if someone misses Fajr due to heavy sleep, but had strong niyyah before sleeping, the prayer can be made up with reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:

> "Whoever sleeps through a prayer or forgets it, let him pray it when he remembers." (Bukhari)

One story from the Sahabah is about Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. Even as the leader of the Muslims, he would wake early and walk through Madinah checking who had prayed Fajr. His niyyah was not just personal worship but also encouraging the Ummah to rise for Fajr. His heart was constantly focused on Allah.

To summarize, making niyyah for Fajr does not require special words. It requires a sincere heart, a sleeping plan, and a deep desire to obey Allah. Say it in your heart, plan for it, and wake for it. Make it your daily gift to Allah and your soul.

> اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ نِيَّتَنَا صَادِقَةً وَصَلَاتَنَا مَقْبُولَةً
"O Allah, make our intention sincere and our prayer accepted."


Remaining How To: https://www.attaqwaa.com/how-to/500-daily-islamic-how-to/msg3878/#msg3878