What is the ruling on uttering the intention aloud before the opening takbir in prayer?

Scholars have differed on the desirability of verbalizing the intention (niyyah) into three opinions:

1. It is desirable to verbalize it. They cite the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the talbiyah (invocation during Hajj/Umrah) and argue that the combination of the heart and tongue is more fitting. 2. It is not desirable to verbalize it. 3. Verbalizing the intention is contrary to what is preferable, except for those afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder (waswas).

The most preponderant opinion is the second one; verbalizing the intention is an innovation (bid'ah) and a deficiency in intellect and religion. This is because intention follows knowledge, so whenever a servant knows what he is doing, he has already intended it.