Q: I was the imam in a salaah while travelling, a few other travellers also stopped, joined us and we performed salaah.
We had departed after Fajr, and had decided we will stop for Zohr at this location. After stopping we had meals etc. made wudhu and went to perform salaah.
At the time of starting the 2 rakaat jamaat salaah, I don't remember having a definite intention of performing Zohr Salah itself, although it was for this very reason we stopped. After saying the takbir the thought came into my mind that what salah am I performing? Is it Asr? Then I immediately realised no its Zohr.
After salaah I mentioned this to an alim there who said its fine, since we stopped for that very reason so "ilm" was evident, and "amal" as well was evident. When these two are found then this is sufficient, its not necessary to make the specific intention before salah.
1. Is this correct? Is the salah valid?
2. If it is invalid, what should one do when the musallis behind one cannot be traced?
A: If you did not make the intention for performing Zuhr Salaah before the salaah and only made the intention after starting the salaah, then this intention will not suffice. Hence, the salaah performed will be regarded as nafl and the fardh Zuhr Salaah will have to be repeated. You should inform all those people who you are able to inform that they should repeat their salaah.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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