Can a person afflicted with obsessive doubts (waswasah) base their decision on their predominant assumption regarding the number of cycles (rak'ahs) or prostrations (sajdats) without performing the prostration of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw), or must they always base it on the higher number and consider their prayer valid?

The one afflicted with whisperings (waswas) is advised to disregard these whisperings and doubts. For the one frequently assailed by doubt, he should build upon the greater number unless certainty is reached. Therefore, there is no blame upon him if he doubts during prayer to consider himself in the second prostration or the second rak'ah. Prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw) are recommended for him but not obligatory.

The purpose of building upon the greater number is to alleviate hardship for the one frequently assailed by doubt. If he wishes to build upon certainty, there is no blame upon him, but the one afflicted with whisperings is not advised to do so. What has been mentioned does not mean being lenient in keeping track of the number of rak'ahs and prostrations; rather, he must adhere to the prescribed number according to sharia. The intent is to alleviate hardship when the number becomes unclear.