If it is not a specified prayer, such as an unrestricted voluntary prayer, then he merely intends to pray, without specifying it.

The author has indicated to us that one must intend the particular specified prayer, such as the noon prayer. Thus, if he intends the obligatory prayer of that time, or prayer in general—for example, he comes to the mosque while the people are praying, joins them, and it escapes his mind whether it is the noon or afternoon prayer, or whether it is obligatory or voluntary—then, according to the author’s view, his prayer is invalid, because he did not intend the specified prayer. It is nevertheless valid as a prayer for which he will be rewarded.

It was also said that specifying a particular prescribed prayer is not a condition; rather, it is sufficient to intend the prayer, and the prayer is specified by the particular time. (1) Thus, if he performs ablution for the noon prayer and then prays, but it escapes his mind whether it is the noon, afternoon, sunset, or night prayer, then the prayer is valid. For if he were asked, “What do you intend by this prayer?” he would say, “I intend the noon prayer.” It is therefore understood to be the prayer obligatory at that time. This view is the only one by which people can reasonably be required to act, because many people perform ablution and come to pray without having in mind whether it is the noon or afternoon prayer—especially when they arrive while the imam is bowing, for this escapes their mind due to their eagerness to catch the bowing.

A consequence of this difference of opinion is the case of a person who owes a four-unit prayer but does not know whether it is the noon, afternoon, or night prayer. If he prays four units intending to discharge what is obligatory upon him, then according to the view that specification is not required, it is valid and counts as the obligatory prayer that he owes. According to the view that specification is obligatory,