What is the validity of the Tarawih prayer if the Imam makes a mistake and stands up for a third rak'ah, and the congregants say "SubhanAllah" to him, but he continues his prayer and then brings a fourth?
If the Imam intends four rak'ahs in Tarawih, his prayer is valid according to those who permit it. However, if he intends two rak'ahs then forgets and stands up for a third, he must return and perform the prostration of forgetfulness ( al-sahw). Imam Ahmad explicitly stated that standing for a third rak'ah in the night prayer is like standing for a third rak'ah in the Fajr prayer, as the night prayer is performed in sets of two (mathna mathna), based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The night prayer is two by two." The Imam must return immediately if he is alerted, even if he has started reciting. Then he sits, says the , and performs two prostrations for forgetfulness. Similarly, the follower (ma'mum) does not continue with the Imam if he proceeds in his prayer; rather, he sits for the , intends to separate from the Imam, and says the taslim.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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