The Most Appropriate Time to Say Niyyah for Wudu

Hi again! In several previous articles, I have explained many things about Niyyah for wudu. It's a good idea to read all of them so you have a good understanding of the Niyyah for wudu. And today, I'm going to explain one important thing that some Muslims don't understand very well: the appropriate time to say Niyyah for wudu.

Whatever your reason for reading this article, I am sure you are looking for an explanation as to the appropriate time to say Niyyah for wudu. Don't worry! I will not let you down today. That's what I will explain now. You just need to read it to the end!

Why Should You Say Niyyah for Wudu at the Appropriate Time?

Hi! First of all, I will explain the reasons why you should say the Niyyah for wudu at the appropriate time. You have to understand that first so you understand the urgency of this discussion. In addition, there are some Muslims who do not understand it well. I don't think you want to be like them.

The only thing you have to do especially if you want to understand why you should say the Niyyah for wudu at the appropriate time is to understand what Niyyah is. Without it, you will not be able to fully understand the main topics in this article.

If you read some Islamic literature about Niyyah, you will find explanations that the meaning of Niyyah is focused on planning (القَصْدُ), will (الإِرَادَةُ), determination (العَزْمُ), direction (الجِهَةُ), displacement (التَّحَوُّلُ), and so on. These are some of the meanings of Niyyah. Thus, you can conclude that Niyyah is determined to do something. In other words, Niyyah is the goal of doing something.

In Islam, Niyyah has a very important role in one's actions. In a hadith it is explained that if a person's Niyyah is good, then it will affect the quality of his actions: his actions will be of good quality. But if the Niyyah is bad, then the quality of the action is bad. 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 radliyallahu anhu, that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Action depends on his intention (Niyyah), and a person only gets something 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 the world or because of the woman he wanted to marry, then his emigration was according to where he migrated."

Now, in the context of this discussion, why should you say Niyyah for wudu at the appropriate time?

Actually, if you have understood everything I have explained in the previous few paragraphs, you can explain the answer to this question very easily. I have already explained that Niyyah is the aim of doing something. Those are the main keywords to answer the question.

So, the answer to the question is, “Because Niyyah for wudu is the purpose of doing wudu. That's why you have to say Niyyah for wudu at the appropriate time."

The Most Appropriate Time to Say Niyyah for Wudu

Hi! I will now explain the main topic in this discussion: the most appropriate time to say Niyyah for wudu. I really hope you understand the explanation below so that there are no more questions about it in your mind after reading this article. And don't forget! If you still have questions about it (or other questions about it, you can write them in the comments column. I am very happy to have a dialogue with you.

Before I give you an explanation of this main topic, once again, forgive me if I have to repeat it once again, I want to say it again, that Niyyah is the aim of doing something. The meaning is that Niyyah is said when someone does the first thing of something that is about to be done. The status of the first thing is the thing that must be done. If it is not done, then it will not be perfect or even invalid.

Are you confused? Pay attention to the explanation below!

Wudu is washing and wiping several parts of the body. There are things to do and things that are recommended to be done in wudu. Specifically and briefly, the explanation is as follows:

• Washing two palms three times (sunnah in wudu).
• Gargling three times (sunnah in wudu).
• Inhale some water three times (sunnah in wudu).
• Removing water that has been inhaled three times (sunnah in wudu).
• Washing the face three times (obligation in wudu).
• Saying Niyyah for wudu once (obligation in wudu)
• Washing two hands up to two elbows three times (obligation in wudu).
• Wiping part of the head three times (obligation in wudu).
• Wiping two ears three times (obligation in wudu).
• Washing two feet up to two ankles three times (obligation in wudu).
• Reading dua after wudu.

Now, what is the most appropriate time to say Niyyah for wudu?

If you have agreed with me that Niyyah is said when one does the first thing one is about to do, then the most appropriate time is when one is washing one's face. That is the most appropriate time to say Niyyah for wudu because it is the first obligation in wudu.

What Happen If You Say Niyyah Not at the Appropriate Time?

Hi! Are you still with me? Now I will explain the last thing that relates to the main topic of this discussion: what happen if you say Niyyah at the wrong time? You should understand that by the end of this discussion because it is something that someone might do.

So, the assumption is, you didn't say wudu when you washed your face because you forgot to do that. You then remembered that as you rubbed your two ears. If you experience that, what happens?

For me, if you say Niyyah for wudu when you wipe your ears, not when you wash your face, then your wudu is invalid. The reason is because you don't have Niyyah for removing minor hadas and performing worship of Allah (essential components of Niyyah for wudu) when you wash your face, wash both hands, and wipe part of the head. These three things that you have done cannot be called part of wudu because they are done without Niyyah.

Now, what is the solution if your wudu is invalid because you said the Niyyah for wudu at the wrong time?

Of course, the answer is very simple, “You have to repeat the wudu and say the Niyyah for wudu when you wash your face.”

If you have any questions, please write them in the comment column!