Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 200
If the imām forgets or makes a mistake in the recitation of a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, what is the ruling regarding sajdat al-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness)?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
✿ From Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Ḥibbān, we learn that the Prophet ﷺ permitted and encouraged the congregation to help the imām by correcting him in such a case.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
If the imām forgets or makes a mistake in the recitation of a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, what is the ruling regarding sajdat al-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness)?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
- If the imām forgets or makes an error in the recitation of a sūrah after Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, then the followers are encouraged to prompt him (luqmah).
✿ From Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Ḥibbān, we learn that the Prophet ﷺ permitted and encouraged the congregation to help the imām by correcting him in such a case.
- However, regarding sajdat al-sahw:
◈ There is no authentic ḥadīth that requires sajdat al-sahw for a mistake in reciting a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah.
◈ Therefore, such a mistake does not obligate sajdat al-sahw.
Conclusion
- If the imām makes a mistake in the sūrah recited after al-Fātiḥah, the congregation should correct him.
- But sajdat al-sahw is not required, since leaving out or erring in a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah does not invalidate the prayer.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
