Explanation of Sajdat al-Sahw
Sajdat al-Sahw refers to the two prostrations performed during prayer in case of forgetfulness or mistake, and these prostrations can be done before or after the salam. The following blessed ahadith mention Sajdat al-Sahw in various situations:
Sajdat al-Sahw due to doubt caused by Satan
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“When you pray, Satan causes doubt in the prayer and you do not remember how many rak’ahs you have prayed; if this happens, then perform two prostrations while sitting.”
Two prostrations after salam for every forgetfulness
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“For every forgetfulness, there are two prostrations after turning the salam.”
Sajdat al-Sahw in case of doubt
In case of doubt between three or four rak’ahs
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“If any one of you doubts the number of rak’ahs he has prayed, whether it is three or four, then leave the doubt and rely on certainty. Then before saying the salam, perform two prostrations. If he had prayed five rak’ahs, these prostrations will make his prayer even, and if he had prayed the full four rak’ahs, these prostrations will be a cause of humiliation for Satan.”
On Doubt Regarding One or Two Rak’ahs
Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman bin Awf رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“If a person doubts in prayer whether he has prayed one rak’ah or two, he should be certain of one rak’ah and complete the rest of the prayer. And if he doubts whether he has prayed two or three, he should be certain of two rak’ahs. Then before giving the final salam, he should perform two prostrations (sujood as-sahw).”
Prostration for omitting the first Qa’dah
Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Buhaina رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, led the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, in the Zuhr prayer. After completing the first two rak’ahs, he stood up. (He did not sit down by mistake during the sitting.) So the people also stood up with the Prophet of Mercy, peace be upon him, until the prayer was completed (and the time for the final sitting and salutation came). When the people waited to give the salutation, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said the takbir while he was sitting. Before giving the salutation, he performed two prostrations and then gave the salutation.
If the full standing has already taken place
Sayyiduna Mughira bin Shu’bah, may Allah be pleased with him, says the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
“When a person stands up after two rak’ahs (without reciting Tashahhud) and has not yet fully stood, he should sit down. But if he has fully stood, then he should not sit down; rather, before giving the salutation, he should perform two prostrations of forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw).”
Prostration of forgetfulness after talking following the prayer
Sahw (Forgetfulness) in Asr Prayer
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Imran bin Husain رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم led the Asr prayer and after praying three rak’ahs, he gave the salam and went home. A companion, Sayyiduna Kharbaq رضي الله عنه, went to him and mentioned his sahw. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم quickly went to the people and sought confirmation of Sayyiduna Kharbaq رضي الله عنه‘s statement. The people said Kharbaq is telling the truth. Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم prayed one more rak’ah, then gave salam, performed two prostrations, and then gave salam again.
Giving Salam after Two Rak’ahs in Zuhr or Asr
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, led the Zuhr or Asr prayer and after praying two rak’ahs, he concluded with salam. Some companions came out of the mosque and said that the prayer was short. A companion, Sayyiduna Dhu al-Yadain, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, whether he had forgotten or the prayer was short. He said:
“I have neither forgotten nor was the prayer short.” Then he asked the companions if Dhu al-Yadain was telling the truth. They said yes! Then he proceeded to pray the remaining short rak’ah, then concluded with salam, then performed two prostrations, then concluded with salam again.
Explanation: If a person prays three rak’ahs instead of four and concludes with salam, and later it becomes known that one rak’ah was left, whether he has gone home or engaged in conversation, he only needs to pray the one remaining rak’ah. There is no need to repeat the entire prayer.
Prostration for praying five rak’ahs instead of four
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه narrates:
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم mistakenly prayed five rak’ahs for Dhuhr prayer. He was asked:
“Has there been an addition in the prayer?”
He said: “Why?”
The companions رضي الله عنهم said:
“You have prayed five rak’ahs for Dhuhr.”
He turned towards the Qiblah and performed two prostrations, then gave the salam, and turning towards us said:
“I am a man like you; I also forget as you forget. So when I forget, remind me.”
Method of Performing Sujood As-Sahw
The correct method of performing Sujood As-Sahw is:
After reciting Tashahhud (including Durood and supplication) in the final sitting, say “Allahu Akbar” and go into prostration.
Then sit briefly and perform the second prostration.
After that, stand up and give the salam.
Note: Sujood As-Sahw can be performed either before or after the salam, as is evident from the ahadith mentioned above.
Explanation
Turning the face to only one side during prostration and then reciting At-Tahiyyat before turning the salam is not proven from the Sunnah.
The narration in
was declared “anomalous” by Allama Nasiruddin Albani, may Allah have mercy on him.
Muhammad ibn Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked whether there is Tashahhud after the prostrations of forgetfulness. He replied that in the hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, there is no mention of Tashahhud.
