were transmitted from his companions, not even approved by the T?bi’?n, nor any of the four Im?ms. Some late scholars misunderstood Ash-Sh?fi’i’s statement and falsely attributed to him that he believes in the necessity of articulating Niyyah in Sal?t unlike Sawm.
The “Niyyah in Sal?t” according to Ash-Sh?fi‘?’s view refers to Takb?rat?l Ihr?m. How could one imagine that Ash-Sh?fi‘? could ever teach muslims something the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) and his companions never did.
If such an act were established in an authentic proof, we would surely comply with it for the prophet’s ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) and his companions’ guidance is the best of guidance and the most perfect, for it is taken from the only human who has the right to cast Shar’, Mahammad ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) ’. (1)
To conclude:
It is unanimously agreed upon that articulating niyyah is Bid‘ah, (2) whoever claims it to be of the Sunnah has indeed ascribed false hood to Im?m Ash-Sh?fi‘? .
Proofs from the Sunnah:
(1) ‘Aishah said: ‘The prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to begin his Sal?t with reciting Takb?r’. (3)
(2) Ab? Hurairah ( - رضي الله عنه -) said: The prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) said to the man who performed his Sal?t improperly: ‘when you perform your Sal?t do perfect wud?’, face the Qiblah, recite Takb?r then read as much as you wish of the Qur’?n. (4)
(1) See: Z?d Al-Ma‘?d (vol 1 / p. 201), “Igathal?l Lahf?n” (vol. 1 / pp. 136 - 9), “I‘Laml M?qi‘?n” (vol. 2 / p. 371) and “Tuhfatul Mawd?d” (p. 93).
(2) See: “Al-Ifs?h” (vol. 1 / p. 56), “Al-Ins?f” (vol. 1 / p. 142), “Fathul Qad?r” (vol. 1 / p. 186), “Majm?‘ Al-Fat?w?” (vol. 22 / p. 223), and “Maq?sidul Makallaf?n Fima Yuta‘abbadu Bih? Lirrabil ‘ ?lam?n” (pp. 123, ... ).
(3) Narrated by Muslim in his ”Sah?h” (vol. 1 / p. 357) (no. 498).
(4) Its narrations will follow soon.