What should an individual worshipper do if he makes a mistake in a four-rak'ah prayer and stands up for the fifth rak'ah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If a worshipper intentionally adds an extra rak'ah, remembering that he is adding it, his prayer becomes invalid. If the addition is due to forgetfulness (sahw), then there are two scenarios:
1. If he realizes the addition during the extra rak'ah: He must return immediately, recite the if he hasn't already, and perform the prostrations of forgetfulness ( al-sahw) after the salutation.
2. If he does not realize the addition until after completing it: His prayer is valid, and he performs the prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw) after the salutation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/11451
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 11451
- 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