Do I Need To Have an Intention To Receive a Reward From Allah?

Thank you for your important question.

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Verily actions are by their intentions, and one shall only have that which one intended.” [Bukhari & Muslim]The scholars mention that actions are only rewarded due to their intentions behind them.

So, in your case, you should make that intention at the moment so you can receive the reward.

 

Statements Of Scholars About Intentions

Imam Ibn Ata’illah (Allah have mercy upon him) said,
“Actions are lifeless forms whose souls are the secret of sincerity in them.”

Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak said, “How often it is that a small action is made great by its intention, and a great action is made small by its intention.”

Further recommended readings;

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/actions-are-rewarded-due-to-intentions/

A very beautiful and more detailed article on intention;

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/the-reality-and-importance-of-intention/

I pray this helps and if you take just a few minutes to read the above links, it will shed a lot of light on your question.

Allah knows best.

[Imam] Yama Niazi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani