Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What about a mother who has no other option – in the sense that she has absolutely no one to look after her child/baby when it is prayer time – does she wait till the baby is asleep till which point the prayer time may have passed- what is the solution – does she pray with extra movements – ? or does she wait ? or does she pray with movements and IF POSSIBLE repeat the prayer later (after time) ? in which case what should her niyat be at the time of the original prayer (meaning should she have it in her heart that she MAY repeat the prayer later -) is it alright to have such a niyat?
Walaikum assalam,
The fiqh principle is that (when there are only two options) lesser harm is accepted to avoid greater harm. Delaying prayer beyond its prescribed time is a major sin. Praying with slight distraction or slight movements is somewhat disliked. In fact, slight movements that have a legitimate reason are excused [see original answer below], and are not considered even somewhat disliked.
One should continue to struggle to have presence of heart, though. For mothers, there is no reason to repeat the prayer.
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said that, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Rely on Allah and do not be incapable ”
Among the meanings of a strong believer’ in this hadith is a believer who takes the best and most effective outward means for each matter, and inwardly relies on Allah.
As such, mothers and others should organize their routines in a manner that allows them to pray (and fulfill other religious duties) in the optimal way: at the beginning of the recommended time, with all the sunnas, and with presence of heart.
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.