What is the ruling on the intention to exit the prayer with the salutation (taslim), and what is the ruling on one who forgot the intention or did not intend and then said the salutation?

The fundamental principle for the worshiper is to intend by their salutation the exiting from prayer. However, if they do not intend that, jurists have differed regarding the validity of their prayer. Some have held that it is invalidated, while others have held that it is valid. This latter view is the preferred one according to many scholars, including Imam Ahmad, Al-Nawawi, and the majority of Malikis. They argue that the intention for prayer encompasses its entirety, and the salutation is a part of it. There is no obligation to intend to exit it, similar to other acts of worship. Thus, if a worshiper performs the salutation and is oblivious to the intention of departing from the prayer, their prayer is valid according to the majority of scholars.