If Someone Prayed but Does Not Know How Many Rak‘ahs He Prayed, What Should He Do?

Hazrat Abdullah narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once led a prayer, in which he either added to it or shortened it. When he turned to the people after saying salam, the people said, "O Messenger of Allah! Has a new command regarding prayer been revealed?" He asked, "Why, what happened?" The people replied, "You led such and such a prayer today." The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) immediately turned his feet and performed two prostrations. Then he said salam and turned towards the people. Then he said, "If any command regarding prayer had been revealed, I would certainly have informed you. In fact, the reality is that I am also a human being like you; just as you forget, I too can forget. When I forget in prayer, remind me." When any of you makes a mistake in prayer, he should reflect and act upon what seems correct to him. Then, when he says salam, he should perform two prostrations.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Sa'id that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: When any of you has doubt about his prayer, he should remove the doubt and act upon what is certain. If he is certain that his prayer is complete, he should perform one rak'ah and make two prostrations of forgetfulness (sahw). If his prayer was already complete, then this rak'ah and the two prostrations will become voluntary (nafl). If his prayer was incomplete, then because of this rak'ah it will be completed, and the two prostrations will humiliate Satan.

Hazrat Awn bin Abdullah narrates from his father that I performed four rak'ahs before Zuhr with Hazrat Umar in his room. He said that when you are in doubt about the prayer, perform more (rak'ahs), not less.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when you have doubt about deficiency or excess in prayer, then perform one more rak‘ah. Because Allah Almighty will not punish for extra prayer. If the prayer was incomplete, it will be completed because of this rak‘ah, and if this rak‘ah turns out to be extra, then there is reward for it.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said that if you are in doubt whether you have completed the prayer or not, then complete what you are doubtful about, because Allah the Exalted will not punish for praying more.

Hazrat Abdullah says that if any of you has doubt about the number of units (rak‘ahs) in prayer, then after reflection, act upon what is most likely. If his predominant assumption is that he has prayed three rak‘ahs, then he should pray one more rak‘ah and perform sajdah sahw. If his predominant assumption is that he has prayed four rak‘ahs, then at the end he should only perform sajdah sahw.

Hazrat Abdullah says that he will reflect and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sajdah Sahw).

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) used to say that if there is even a thought of deficiency, he should make it complete.

Hazrat Salim says that if someone is in doubt whether he has prayed three rak‘ahs or four, he should free himself from doubt and perform sajdah sahw. Yahya bin Sa‘id says that I mentioned this statement to Hazrat Qasim, so he said, "I also say the same, I also say the same."

4474 - (I mentioned) (1) that to Al-Qasim, and he said: I also say the same (and I also say the same) (2).

Hazrat Ata bin Yasar says that I asked Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Ka'b that if a person is in doubt whether he has prayed three rak'ahs or four, what should he do? Both of them replied that he should pray one rak'ah, then sit at the end and perform sajdah sahw.

Ibrahim says that he will reflect and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw).

Hazrat Salim says that he will act upon what he is certain of. He was asked whether he will perform Sajdah Sahw? He replied, yes.

Hazrat Mak'hool narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: If any of you has doubt about his prayer as to how many rak'ahs he has performed, and if he is uncertain whether it was one or two rak'ahs, then he should perform one more rak'ah so that the doubt turns into excess. Then, while sitting in the position of Tashahhud, before saying the final salam, he should perform Sajdah Sahw, and then say the salam. Hazrat Kareeb says that regarding this hadith, Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, had a difference of opinion, so Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf came and informed them that he had heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

Hazrat Abdul Kareem says that if Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyib and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah became doubtful about the number of units (rak‘ahs) in prayer and could not determine whether they had prayed three or four, both of them would perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw) before concluding the prayer with salaam.

Hazrat Imran bin Husain narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Asr prayer and after offering three rak‘ahs, he concluded the prayer with salam. Then he went to his chamber. A man, who was called Khirbaq, came forward and said, "O Messenger of Allah! You have done so today." Upon this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) came out angrily, dragging his cloak, and reached the people and asked, "Is what he says correct?" The people replied, "Yes." Upon this, he offered that rak‘ah, then concluded the prayer with salam, then performed two prostrations, and then again concluded with salam.

Hazrat Anas and Hasan say that he will act upon his last doubt and perform Sajdah Sahw.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Count as much as you are able, and do not repeat the prayer.

Hazrat Abdul Aziz bin Suhaib says that Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) sat for Tashahhud in the third rak'ah, so the people behind him said tasbih. He stood up and completed the fourth rak'ah. When he finished with salam, he performed two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw). Then, turning towards the people, he said: "When you are in doubt, do like this."

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: When you forget the amount of prayer, then while sitting in the position of Tashahhud, perform two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw).