Does the prayer of a traveler with the congregation require the intention to complete it?
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The questioner : It requires an intention in the sense that if a person is a traveler and enters a mosque on the road, and he does not know whether the worshippers are completing the prayer or praying it shortened, should he intend to shorten it or to complete it?
The Shaykh : Prayer while traveling does not require an intention. For example, if a person is a traveler and the time for the midday prayer arrives, and he stands to pray, and during the prayer he says, "By Allah! I do not know whether I intended to shorten it or not?" We say: He has no need for it. The default for the traveler's prayer is that it is shortened and does not require an intention. So proceed and complete it as a shortened prayer. Likewise, if he enters the mosque, as in the question, if he enters a mosque and finds the worshippers, and it is one of the roadside mosques along the highways, then it appears that they are shortening the prayer. So he enters and prays two units. Did you understand? Did you understand, O questioner?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Fine.
The Shaykh : Prayer while traveling does not require an intention. For example, if a person is a traveler and the time for the midday prayer arrives, and he stands to pray, and during the prayer he says, "By Allah! I do not know whether I intended to shorten it or not?" We say: He has no need for it. The default for the traveler's prayer is that it is shortened and does not require an intention. So proceed and complete it as a shortened prayer. Likewise, if he enters the mosque, as in the question, if he enters a mosque and finds the worshippers, and it is one of the roadside mosques along the highways, then it appears that they are shortening the prayer. So he enters and prays two units. Did you understand? Did you understand, O questioner?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Fine.