What Is the Niyyah for Wudu? A Complete Guide

Niyyah is one of the important topics in Islamic legal literacy. Simply put, niyyah is the intention behind an action, distinguishing one task from another. The same applies to niyyah for wudu. I’m sure there are still some Muslims out there who don’t fully understand "What is the niyyah for wudu?" and "Is niyyah necessary for wudu?"

Regardless of your reason for opening this article, I am confident that you are looking for an explanation of niyyah for wudu. I won’t let you down because that’s what I’m going to explain in this article. Therefore, make sure to read this article to the end!

What Is Niyyah?

Hi! By the way, do you know what niyyah is? If you don’t understand it yet, don’t worry! That’s what I will explain now. I want you to grasp this at the beginning of our discussion, as it is the fundamental concept of niyyah for wudu that must be well understood.

Read Also: What Types of Farts Break Wudu?

If you want to know what niyyah is, take a look at the literal definition of niyyah below:

النِّيَّةُ لُغَةً : القَصْدُ

According to its linguistic meaning, niyyah is deliberate.

If you understand the literal definition of niyyah above, you can conclude that its meaning is intentional. Thus, niyyah also encompasses will (الإِرَادَةُ), determination (العَزْمُ), direction (الجِهَةُ), and displacement (التَّحَوُّلُ).

As for the meaning of niyyah in Islam, one of the definitions is as follows:

النِّيَّةُ شَرْعاً هِيَ اِنْعِقَادُ الْقَلْبِ عَلَى عَمَلِ الشَّيْءِ

In Shariah (Islam), niyyah is the determination to perform an action.

Is Niyyah Necessary for Wudu?

Now I will explain the answer to an important question about wudu that some Muslims often ask: Is niyyah necessary for wudu? I want you to understand this well so you can provide an answer to someone who may ask about it one day.

Before I explain the answer to this question, I will quote a hadith that specifically relates to it. Please pay attention to the hadith below:

عَنْ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّةِ وَلِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

From Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Actions depend on intentions (niyyah), and a person only receives according to his intention. Whoever emigrated to Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration was to Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated for the sake of worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his emigration was according to what he emigrated for."

This hadith highlights the importance of niyyah in Islam. It makes it clear that everything a person does depends on their niyyah. If the niyyah is good, then the action will be of good value. Conversely, if the niyyah is bad, then the action will be of bad value. Niyyah distinguishes one action from another.

The same applies to wudu. In Islam, wudu involves the movements of washing and wiping various parts of the body. Without niyyah, these movements are merely ordinary actions.

So, is niyyah necessary for wudu? Of course! Niyyah is essential for wudu. The reason is that if there is no niyyah to remove minor impurities, then the actions of washing and wiping some parts of the body with water become normal movements.

What Is the Niyyah for Wudu?

Now I will explain the answer to the main question in this discussion: What is the niyyah for wudu? I hope all your questions about niyyah for wudu will be answered in this article. If you still have other questions about it, please write them in the comments.

Generally, the niyyah for wudu is pronounced in Arabic. However, if you can't say it in Arabic, you can express it in a language you are comfortable with. What is important is that in the niyyah for wudu, you must state that you intend to perform wudu to remove minor hadas as an obligation to Allah Ta'ala.

Below is the niyyah for wudu in Arabic and English:

نَوَيْتُ الْوُضُوْءَ لِرَفْعِ الْحَدَثِ الْأَصْغَرِ فَرْضًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

I intend to perform wudu to remove minor hadas as an obligation to Allah Ta'ala.

That is the niyyah for wudu in Arabic and English. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments!