Are the two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood al-sahw) performed before or after the tasleem if the Imam mistakenly stood for a fifth rak'ah, then immediately sat down before fully straightening up due to the worshippers' alert?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If a worshiper makes a mistake and stands up for an extra rak'ah, he must sit down immediately without saying the takbir. The ruling on the prostration of forgetfulness ( al-sahw) in this case has two scenarios:
1. If he remembers after he has risen and his thighs or knees have lifted off the ground: He prostrates for forgetfulness after the salam, because he added to his prayer.
2. If he remembers before he rises or before his thighs or knees leave the ground: He does not have to prostrate, because he is still considered to be sitting.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/10562
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 10562
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy