Is my act valid after I doubted the completeness of Al-Fatiha, reread it, and performed the prostration of forgetfulness?
If someone doubts whether they recited Al-Fatiha or any part of it, they must recite it, because it is a pillar [of prayer], and doubting the omission of a pillar is like omitting it, thus it is obligatory to perform it. As for one who repeated Al-Fatiha or doubts having repeated it, some jurists deem prostration of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw) permissible for them. The addition of verbal elements in prayer does not necessitate sujud al-sahw unless the verbal element is an obligatory one. Therefore, repeating Al-Fatiha out of forgetfulness warrants sujud al-sahw, whereas repeating it intentionally does not require prostration, and the more valid opinion is that the prayer is not invalidated, though sin is incurred.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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