Published in: Shumara al-Sunnah, Jhelum
"If one of you is uncertain in his prayer and does not know whether he has prayed three or four rakʿahs, then let him remove the doubt and act upon what he is certain of."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 571]
[al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah 1/616]
❖ Answer:
If one forgets the number of ṭawāf circuits, they should:- Remove the doubt and try their best to determine the correct number.
- If uncertain even after trying, then base their action on the lesser number.
❖ Evidence from the Sunnah:
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:"If one of you is uncertain in his prayer and does not know whether he has prayed three or four rakʿahs, then let him remove the doubt and act upon what he is certain of."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 571]
❖ Statement of Nawāb Ṣiddīq Ḥasan Khān رحمه الله (d. 1307 AH):
"The correct view—And Allah knows best—is that ṭawāf resembles ṣalāh. So, if someone is unsure whether they performed six or seven circuits, they should remove the doubt and strive to ascertain the correct number. If they succeed, they should act accordingly. If not, they should base their action on the lesser number, as this is supported by authentic evidence."[al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah 1/616]
