𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (35)

Dealing With Recurrent Doubts During Prayer Questioner: It happens to me frequently during prayer behind the imam—especially in prayers recited aloud—that I become doubtful as to whether I recited Al-Fātiḥah after the imam finished reciting it or not. As a result, I feel compelled to repeat it while the imam is reciting, and this happens to me often, unfortunately. Is there any blame upon me for this? What is the ruling regarding the past prayers that I performed in this manner—are they affected or invalidated by this issue or not? Please guide us, may Allāh bless you, O esteemed Shaykh, as to what helps one maintain proper following (of the imam) and avoid mental distraction during prayer. May you be rewarded. Shaykh ’Uthaymeen rahimahullah: This questioner, as people have heard him say, experiences this doubt frequently. Recurrent doubts must be dismissed and not paid attention to, because they place a person among those afflicted with obsessive whisperings. Shayṭān does not limit himself to casting doubt in this matter alone; rather, he continues to sow doubts in other matters, to the point that it may reach the stage where he causes a person to doubt the divorce of his wife and the continuation of the marriage. This is dangerous for a person’s intellect and religion. For this reason, the scholars have stated that doubts are not to be considered in three cases: The first: when the doubt is merely an illusion with no real basis. Such doubt is to be completely disregarded. The second: when doubts become frequent, such that whenever a person performs ablution he doubts, whenever he prays he doubts, and whenever he does an act he doubts. This too must be dismissed and not taken into account. The third: when the doubt occurs after the completion of the act of worship. In this case, it is not considered unless the person attains certainty. For example, if after concluding the prayer with salām a person doubts whether he prayed three or four units in a four-unit prayer, he does not pay attention to this doubt because the act of worship has already been completed—unless he is certain that he prayed only three units, in which case he should perform the fourth unit, provided that little time has passed, and then perform the prostration of forgetfulness after the salām. In summary, these are three situations in which doubt is not given any consideration: 1. When it is mere illusion with no reality. 2. When doubts are frequent. 3. When the doubt occurs after completing the act of worship. Accordingly, we say to this questioner: do not pay attention to this doubt. If you doubt whether you recited Al-Fātiḥah after the imam’s recitation or not, do not consider this doubt. The basic principle is that you did recite it, so do not repeat it again. For Shayṭān may cast into your heart the notion that you did not recite it in order to distract you from listening attentively to the imam’s recitation. Source: https://alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=56280