Is the prostration of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw) legislated if the Imam sits during the third rak'ah, believing it to be the fourth, then stands up immediately after being alerted by the congregants and performs the fourth (rak'ah)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If a worshipper sits during the third rak'ah by mistake, it is prescribed for him to perform the prostrations of forgetfulness ( al-sahw) due to the generality of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "For every forgetfulness, there are two prostrations." However, if his sitting was brief and he did not prostrate, there is no harm upon him, because it is a minor action similar to the jalsat al-istirahah (sitting for rest).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/127484
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 127484
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- . 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