Darimi

(Explanation of Hadiths 1537 to 1540)

The meaning of "sahw" is forgetfulness or error, and in prayer, if any forgetfulness or error occurs, then performing two prostrations at the end of the prayer before the salutation is called "sujud al-sahw" (prostration of forgetfulness). Imam al-Darimi rahimahullah, in the previous three chapters, has mentioned authentic hadiths regarding three types of forgetfulness, the summary of which is that in prayer—whether it is obligatory or supererogatory, whether one is an imam or praying alone—if there is any deficiency, addition, or doubt, then performing sujud al-sahw becomes obligatory whenever any of these three matters occur.

Now, whether this sujud al-sahw is before the salutation or after it, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding this.

Some have said: perform sujud al-sahw after the salutation, and some scholars have said that in every case, sujud al-sahw should be performed before the salutation, and this is the position of many Companions, Followers (Tabi‘in), and Imams.

Imam al-Zuhri rahimahullah said: «آخر الأمرين السجود قبل السلام», and the position of Imam Ahmad rahimahullah and others is that one should perform sujud al-sahw as it has been reported in the hadiths, and there are three scenarios for this «حسب ما ذكره الامام الدارمي».

1- The first scenario is that the imam is in doubt regarding the number of rak‘ahs in the prayer—whether they are three or four—so he should act upon what is certain, that is, the lesser number, and complete one rak‘ah for Maghrib and two rak‘ahs for Dhuhr or ‘Asr, and before turning for the salutation, he should perform sujud al-sahw, as is made clear by the hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu, hadith number (1540).

2- The second scenario is that of addition in the prayer, i.e., if a rak‘ah, prostration, or any other pillar is performed in excess by mistake, then the worshipper should perform two prostrations to correct this mistake and then give the salutation.

And if there was some addition in the prayer and after completing the prayer it is pointed out that a rak‘ah, bowing (ruku‘), or prostration was performed in excess, then in such a case, one should immediately perform sujud al-sahw and then give the salutation.

3- The third scenario is that of deficiency, and it has two conditions: if a pillar (rukn) of the prayer is missed, then except for the opening takbir (takbir al-tahrimah), that pillar must be performed again, and all subsequent parts of the prayer will be invalid.

For example, if the opening takbir (takbir al-tahrimah) is omitted by mistake, the prayer is invalid. If any other pillars of the prayer—such as bowing (ruku‘), prostration (sujud), standing (qiyam), etc.—are omitted, then they must be completed. For instance, if in the fourth rak‘ah only one prostration was performed and after the tashahhud the salutation was given, and after the salutation it is pointed out that only one prostration was performed in the last rak‘ah, then first perform the missed prostration, then recite the tashahhud, then perform sujud al-sahw, and then give the salutation.

And if this deficiency occurred in the obligatory acts (wajibat) of the prayer, then only sujud al-sahw is sufficient. For example, if the worshipper stands up by mistake during the first tashahhud, and if he has not yet fully stood up, then upon hearing "Subhan Allah" he must return to the tashahhud and perform sujud al-sahw. If he has already stood up straight, then he should complete the prayer and before the salutation perform sujud al-sahw and then give the salutation.

These are some of the scenarios of sujud al-sahw. For complete understanding, it is extremely important to know the pillars (arkan) and obligatory acts (wajibat) of the prayer, and for details, it is absolutely necessary to refer to Nayl al-Awtar, al-Mughni, and other such works. For the reader's convenience, the pillars and obligatory acts of the prayer are listed here, because in the view of the writer, this issue is very important, and the validity of the prayer in case of forgetfulness depends on this.

Another very important point of caution is that if there is any deficiency in the prayer and a long interval occurs—such that people leave the mosque and the ablution (wudu) is also broken—then in such a case, the entire prayer must be repeated; its completion and sujud al-sahw will not suffice.

The pillars (arkan) of the prayer are fourteen:
(1) Standing if able, (2) Opening takbir (takbir al-tahrimah), (3) Recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, (4) Bowing (ruku‘), (5) Standing upright after bowing (qiyam after ruku‘), (6) Prostration (sujud) on seven limbs, (7) Raising the head from prostration, (8) Sitting calmly between the two prostrations, (9) Tranquility in all actions, (10) Observing the proper sequence, (11) Final tashahhud, (12) Sitting for the tashahhud, (13) Reciting the tashahhud, (14) Giving salutation to both sides.

The obligatory acts (wajibat) of the prayer are eight:
(1) All takbirs except the opening takbir (takbir al-tahrimah), (2) The imam and the one praying alone saying «سمع اللّٰه لمن حمده», (3) Everyone saying «ربنا لك الحمد», (4) Saying «سبحان ربي العظيم» in bowing (ruku‘), (5) Saying «سبحان ربي الأعلى» in prostration (sujud), (6) Saying «رب اغفر لي» between the two prostrations, (7) Reciting al-tahiyyat in the first tashahhud, (8) Sitting for the first tashahhud.

In summary, if any pillar (rukn) of the prayer is missed, then performing that pillar and sujud al-sahw is obligatory, and if any obligatory act (wajib) is missed, then only sujud al-sahw is sufficient.

And Allah knows best.

For details, see: [المغنىٰ 644/1], [بداية المجتهد 239/1], [نيل الأوطار 130/3].