Does a prayer become invalid if the worshipper merely wavers regarding the intention to terminate the prayer after having started it correctly?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If the worshipper, having entered the prayer with certainty, merely wavers regarding whether to terminate it, Ibn Hamid asserts that the prayer does not become invalid because the initial certain intention is not nullified by doubt or wavering, similar to other acts of worship. The ruling is that the original valid state remains established.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi suggests the prayer may become invalid, which aligns with the view of Al-Shafi'i, because sustaining the intention (*istidamah al-niyyah*) is a condition, and wavering means the worshipper is not continuously sustaining it, thus resembling the case where the intention to terminate is explicitly formed.