Niyaat

A fixed intention of the heart, particularly in matters of prayer. One must perform the niyaat before prayer, voicing one’s heartfelt intention to offer prayer to God. Saying one’s intention aloud without it being heartfelt is not niyaat, but mere rote obligation. (org. Farsi. To have a fixed intention of the heart, a clarity of purpose, not merely an obligation; specifically in reference to one who is in prayer or about to pray)