Originally posted 2019-07-17 11:05:55.

Making Sujud As-sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)

Question: 

Could you demonstrate the two methods of making sujud as-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness)? 

Answer:

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.

Naturally, we as human beings are entitled to make mistakes, even in the important duties such as prayer. Therefore, sujud as-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) was legislated to compensate the mistakes or errors that may happen while offering prayer due to forgetfulness. Sujud as-sahw consists of two prostrations. It is performed like the prostrations in the prayer. 

It was narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed (and the other narrator Ibrahim said, “I do not know whether he prayed more or less than usual”), and when he had finished the prayers he was asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Has there been any change in the prayers?” He said, “What is it?’ The people said, “You have prayed so much and so much.” So the Prophet (ﷺ) bent his legs, faced the Qibla and performed two prostration’s (of Sahw) and finished his prayers with tasleem (by turning his face to right and left saying: ‘As-Salamu `Alaikum- Warahmat-ullah’). When he turned his face to us he said, “If there had been anything changed in the prayer, surely I would have informed you but I am a human being like you and liable to forget like you. So if I forget remind me and if anyone of you is doubtful about his prayer, he should follow what he thinks to be correct and complete his prayer accordingly and finish it and do two prostrations (of Sahw).” (Al-Bukhari) 

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When any one of you is in doubt about his prayer and he doesn’t know how much he has prayed, three or four (rak`ahs). he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. then perform two prostrations before giving salutations. If he has prayed five rak`ahs, they will make his prayer an even number for him, and if he has prayed exactly four, they will be humiliation for the devil.” (Muslim)

To know more about the rulings prostration of forgetfulness, watch this short talk with Dr. Muhammad Salah. 

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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.