Sujud as-sahw: the prostration of forgetfulness
Anyone can make a mistake in prayer. The Sunnah gives a simple remedy: two extra prostrations at the end, called sujud as-sahw.
I am only a human being; I forget as you forget. So when I forget, remind me, and when one of you is unsure in his prayer, let him aim for what is correct, complete his prayer on that basis and then make two prostrations.
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
When is it needed?
- Leaving out a required part that is not a pillar, such as the first tashahhud. The Prophet ﷺ once stood up after two rak'ahs without sitting, continued, and prostrated twice before the salam (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
- Adding something by mistake, such as a fifth rak'ah or an extra ruku'.
- Doubt about how many rak'ahs you have prayed: build on what you are certain of (the lower number), complete the prayer and prostrate twice (Muslim).
If you leave out a pillar (rukn), such as al-Fatiha, a ruku' or a sujud, the prostrations are not enough: you must make up the missing part or that rak'ah, then prostrate.
How to do it
- Say Allahu akbar and make one sujud as usual.
- Sit up with Allahu akbar.
- Make a second sujud.
- Sit up and end the prayer with salam.
Before or after the salam?
Both are narrated from the Prophet ﷺ, and the schools differ: - Hanafi: after one salam to the right, then the tashahhud again and the final salam. - Shafi'i: always before the salam. - Maliki: before the salam for something left out, after it for something added. - Hanbali: mostly before, after it in the cases where the hadith mention it.
Whichever you follow, the prayer is valid. Behind an imam you follow him and do not prostrate for your own small mistakes.
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Frequently asked questions
What if I forget sujud as-sahw?
If you remember shortly after the prayer, before long has passed or you have left the place, make the two prostrations then. If a long time has passed, the prayer is valid according to many scholars, as long as no pillar was missing.
Do I prostrate for every small doubt?
No. Doubt after the prayer is over is ignored, and someone who doubts constantly should ignore it and not let it trouble them.
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.