Ruling when doubting whether the intention was for an obligatory prayer (fard) or a supererogatory prayer (nafl)?

Chapter on the Description of Prayer

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 2 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If doubt arises as to whether the intention was for an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory one, the prayer is completed as a supererogatory prayer. This ruling applies unless the person remembers having intended the obligatory prayer before performing any subsequent action.

Supporting text

If the recollection of having intended the obligatory prayer occurs after commencing another action (after the doubt), the two established views concerning invalidation upon performing an action while doubting the initial intention apply.