Our Shaykh, the question that the brother Abu Hammam asked: Abu Ma'adh was praying four rak'ahs and then remembered that he was a traveler. He asked: Does he change his intention like this?

The questioner : Our Shaykh, the question that the brother Abu Hammam asked is that Abu Ma'adh was praying four rak'ahs and then remembered that he was a traveler. He asked: Does he change his intention like this?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : What is the answer?

The Shaykh : He must shorten the prayer.

The questioner : He is praying; what does he do? Does he change the intention?

The Shaykh : He just changes the intention, meaning he corrects his mistake. He is a traveler, so shortening the prayer is obligatory for him.

The questioner : Does he say the takbir again, starting over?

The Shaykh : Well, here it depends on the details: where did he remember?

The questioner : For example, after he made the intention, he entered the prayer.

The Shaykh : The answer? I did not hear the answer. I did not hear.

The questioner : I may not have paid attention, my Shaykh. Shortening the prayer is obligatory.

The Shaykh : I said: He shortens it; it is obligatory. But I told you about the scenario. You brought up the scenario, and the answer is the same. However, the scenario might be that he remembered in the third rak'ah, for example. In that case, he changes his intention, sits for the tashahhud, and performs the prostration for forgetfulness, because he added an extra rak'ah.

The questioner : As for if it was at the beginning, he has the option to restart, meaning to say the takbir again, or not to complete it and pray only two rak'ahs.

The Shaykh : He completes it; he does not restart the takbir.

The questioner : He does not restart the takbir. May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : Welcome. In the name of Allah.