What should I do if, while bowing in the second rak'ah, I remember that I forgot to bow in the first rak'ah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If someone forgets the bowing (ruku‘) of the first rak‘ah and remembers it while bowing in the second rak‘ah, then the first rak‘ah is annulled, and the rak‘ah in which he is currently bowing becomes the first rak‘ah. He then completes his prayer and performs the prostrations of forgetfulness ( al-sahw), because rectifying the forgotten bowing becomes impossible once he bows for the subsequent rak‘ah. This is the relied-upon position in the Maliki school of thought.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/187242
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 187242
- 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