How Should A Person Make Intention (Niyyah) For Following An Imam In Prayer?

How should a person make intention (niyyah) for following an imam in prayer?

Intention is one of the conditions of the prayer. A person should specify which kind of prayer (fardh, wajib, or nafl) and which time’s prayer s/he will establish as well as clarifying if s/he will perform it alone or by following an imam. The important point is to know it by heart; uttering it by tongue is seen as a nice act as it strengthens one’s will about this subject (Marghinani, al-Hidayah, I, 297, 298).

Accordingly, the person who will establish prayer by following an imam should make intention for this in his/her heart. Otherwise, the prayer to be established without the niyyah to follow the imam will be invalid. Moreover, it will be appropriate for him/her to utter it as, “I follow the imam who is present.”

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS