What I learned 23/7/2012
I was always told to make intention for salah by saying "I intend to pray 2 rakats of Nafl for Maghrib while facing the Kaba" then say Allahuakbar
But apparently:
Ibn Al-Qayyim, رحمه الله, stated in “Zaad Al-Ma’aad” or in “Al-Hudaa An-Nabawiyy”: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would stand for Salaah he said: ‘Allaahu Akbar’ and said nothing else before it nor did he pronounce his intention aloud. Nor did he say: ‘I will pray for Allaah Salaah such and such while facing the Qiblah four raka’aat as imaam or follower’.
(By Shaikh Salih aal-Shaykh)
