Ruling on Reciting al-Fatihah in Prayer Without Contemplation
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Satan frequently distracts a person in his prayer, including during the recitation of al-Fatihah and the tashahhud. If the one praying becomes certain that he recited al-Fatihah until he reached its end, or in the final tashahhud, and realizes that he recited al-Fatihah without contemplation, should he repeat al-Fatihah or not?
He does not repeat it. If a person is distracted in his prayer by whispers and intrusive thoughts, he does not repeat what he missed.Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed that: Satan comes to a person in his prayer and says, "Remember this, remember that," so he prays without knowing what he prayed.
And if we said: If he were to repeat it, Satan would gain control over him in the repetition.Then we say: He would repeat it a second, third, and fourth time. However, a person should try as much as he can to be present in heart in his prayer, because being present in heart in prayer is the essence of the prayer. One who prays while his heart is not present is merely a moving machine.
He does not repeat it. If a person is distracted in his prayer by whispers and intrusive thoughts, he does not repeat what he missed.Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed that: Satan comes to a person in his prayer and says, "Remember this, remember that," so he prays without knowing what he prayed.
And if we said: If he were to repeat it, Satan would gain control over him in the repetition.Then we say: He would repeat it a second, third, and fourth time. However, a person should try as much as he can to be present in heart in his prayer, because being present in heart in prayer is the essence of the prayer. One who prays while his heart is not present is merely a moving machine.