What is the ruling concerning the prayer of an Imam who thought he had forgotten a prostration (sajdah) and performed a prostration of forgetfulness (sujud qabli), then it became clear that he had not forgotten anything; and would his prostration of forgetfulness be valid if he had actually forgotten it?

One who doubts whether they performed one prostration or two must base their action on the minimum, and perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness before the salaam, unless they have a strong presumption, in which case they act upon it and perform the prostrations after the salaam. One who forgets a prostration cannot rectify it with the prostrations of forgetfulness; rather, they must perform it. If it was in a rak'ah other than the last, they must perform a complete rak'ah, and they owe the prostrations of forgetfulness. One who pronounces the salaam out of doubt, without acting on a strong presumption, their prayer is invalidated and they must repeat it. If the Imam and the congregants differ regarding an act of forgetfulness and the Imam is not certain of his own correctness, he must defer to their opinion.