What is the ruling on going to the mosque with the intention of praying and fulfilling a worldly need, and does that diminish the reward?

Going to the mosque for prayer while having a permissible worldly benefit is allowed. Scholars have differed on the effect of this on the reward of the action. Some scholars permit associating something that does not require an intention with an act of worship, such as trading during Hajj, basing their argument on the Almighty's saying: {There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord}.

As for the reward, opinions have differed: - Al-Ghazali believes that the reward is dependent on the predominant motive. If it is worldly, there is no reward; if it is religious, the reward is commensurate with it; and if they are equal, they cancel each other out. - Ibn Abd al-Salam believes there is absolutely no reward. - Whereas Al-Shawkani believes that the reward is complete without any reduction, citing the permissibility of trading during military expeditions and Hajj.

However, when the primary motive is to draw closer to Allah, and it is mixed with a worldly thought that makes it easier on the soul, the action may deviate from the bounds of sincerity.

Therefore, a Muslim should have the primary intention of going to the mosque to draw closer to Allah by performing prayer, and then they may attend to their worldly affairs afterward.