Is it sufficient for one to focus on the words in one’s mind during Salaah instead of reciting it?

A. The minimum requirement for any recital in Salaah is that the words/letters must be uttered with the tongue whilst performing Salaah. If one performs Salaah without any utterance of the words/letters with the tongue whilst performing Salaah, the requirement of recital in Salaah will not be fulfilled. Hence, it is insufficient for one to focus on the words/letters in one’s mind without actually uttering it whilst performing Salaah as the Salaah would be rendered invalid.

Apart from this, this type of ‘recitation’ deprives one from reaping any reward and benefit of the Salaah (Shaami 1/534 – Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 10/47 – Fataawa Fareediyyah 2/240)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa