What is the ruling on the prayer of one who is inattentive and does not focus on what he recites and supplicates with?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah bless you. Regarding the awareness of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) in prayer and in reciting the Qur'an, sometimes a person means to be aware of the words and their meanings, and sometimes a lot slips past him. What is your opinion regarding the prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed. A person, without doubt, when he is praying, sometimes focuses on what he recites, what he supplicates with, and the dhikr, and sometimes he is inattentive and goes through the motions out of habit, not realizing until he has reached the taslim (closing salam). We say that if it is possible for him to focus on what he says and does, that is better. And if it is not possible, his prayer is valid, but it is deficient. Yes.
The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. If a person pours water over his entire body for the Friday ghusl (full ritual bath) or for cleanliness, does that suffice for him instead of wudu' (ablution)?
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed. A person, without doubt, when he is praying, sometimes focuses on what he recites, what he supplicates with, and the dhikr, and sometimes he is inattentive and goes through the motions out of habit, not realizing until he has reached the taslim (closing salam). We say that if it is possible for him to focus on what he says and does, that is better. And if it is not possible, his prayer is valid, but it is deficient. Yes.
The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. If a person pours water over his entire body for the Friday ghusl (full ritual bath) or for cleanliness, does that suffice for him instead of wudu' (ablution)?