Answer: A “precautionary” prayer has no basis in the Sacred Law. Rather, you must exert yourself to bring your heart to presence and to show humility in your prayer. At the very start of the prayer—and in the opening supplication that you recite after the initial takbīr of consecration—seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan. Strive to focus your heart and mind on the prayer and to grasp what you are saying; this is what is required of you. If some stray thoughts or inner whisperings nonetheless occur, and you drive them away and return to attentiveness, this will not harm you, Allah willing. Offering an extra “precautionary” prayer, however, is not sanctioned.

Question: What about supererogatory prayers, such as the regular Sunnah prayers?

Answer: Yes, one should perform the regular Sunnah prayers (rawātib) and other unrestricted voluntary prayers in abundance, according to what is prescribed. Supererogatory prayers make up for any deficiency that may have occurred in one’s obligatory prayers. A Muslim ought to have a share of voluntary prayers and should be keen to perform the rawātib that accompany the obligatory prayers—whether before them, after them, or both.

Question: What is the ruling on repeating a prayer—for instance, praying Ẓuhr twice?

Answer: A prayer is only to be repeated if one of its conditions or essential pillars was invalid, or if one deliberately omitted one of its obligatory elements; in these cases the prayer must indeed be redone. Merely experiencing passing thoughts, doubts, or whisperings does not require the prayer to be repeated.