Should we seek the wisdom in acts of worship?

The questioner : This act of worship that the scholars mentioned is purely devotional; should we not seek a single reason for it?

The Shaykh : It is not required, but there are things we know we will not be able to find a reason for. For example, breaking wudu (ablution) with camel meat; many scholars said it is purely devotional. Not praying in the bathroom; many scholars said it is purely devotional. In these cases, we can try to know the wisdom, but with these four rak'ahs (units of prayer), it is impossible; even if we try, we will not know. Attempting to reach the wisdom may be like attempting to know the modality of Allah's attributes.

The questioner : But, for example, some of the later scholars mention, in a number of rulings that the early scholars described as purely devotional, including some of the four-rak'ah prayers, that they list the causes and rulings, the suitability of the setting, and the suitability of the time.

The Shaykh : Let us leave aside the timing, but the fact that they are four rak'ahs—why were they not six?

The questioner : You say, for example, that this number suits the permissibility.

The Shaykh : How do we hear the answer? Well, what does it mean to make it six and restrict it to four? No, there are things where the truth is that it is impossible; it is a matter of being stubborn, trying to find a cause. Yes, it is true that the timing in five times, for example Fajr (dawn prayer) and Zuhr (midday prayer), a person may find a suitability, and may find a clear suitability in some without others. For example, with 'Asr (afternoon prayer), one may not be able to know the suitability, but with Zuhr, Maghrib (sunset prayer), 'Isha' (night prayer), and Fajr...