The Prophet (ﷺ) offered one of the evening prayers (the sub-narrator Muhammad said, "I think that it was most probably the `Asr prayer") and he finished it after offering two rak`at only. He then stood near a price of wood in front of the Mosque and put his hand over it. Abu Bakr and `Umar were amongst those who were present, but they dared not talk to him about that (because of excessive respect for him), and those who were in a hurry went out. They said, "Has the prayer been reduced?" A man who was called Dhul-Yadain by the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the Prophet), "Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?" He said, "Neither have I forgotten, nor has the prayer been reduced." He said, "Certainly you have forgotten." So the Prophet (ﷺ) offered two more rak`at and performed Taslim and then said Takbir and performed a prostration of Sahu like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer and then raised his head and said Takbir and then put his head down and performed a prostration like his ordinary prostration or a bit longer, and then raised his head and said Takbir.
Forgetfulness in Prayer
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 1229
Contextual Analysis
This incident occurred during the 'Asr prayer when the Prophet (ﷺ) concluded after only two rak'at instead of four. The companions noticed the discrepancy but hesitated to question him out of profound respect. This demonstrates the companions' reverence while highlighting the importance of correcting prayer errors.
Scholarly Commentary
Dhul-Yadain's courageous inquiry exemplifies the Islamic principle of enjoining good and forbidding evil, even when addressing those of higher status. The Prophet's response shows that forgetfulness can affect anyone, including prophets, and establishes the procedure for correction.
The Prophet's initial denial followed by acceptance teaches us that one should not hastily admit forgetfulness without proper recollection. Once confirmed, he completed the missed rak'at and performed the prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahu).
Legal Rulings Derived
When in doubt about prayer completion, one should act upon certainty and complete what is certain was performed. The prostrations of forgetfulness are performed before the final taslim when adding rak'at after taslim. This hadith establishes the legitimacy of sujud al-sahu as a means of rectifying prayer errors.
The incident also shows that congregants should gently correct the imam when an error is noticed, following the etiquette demonstrated by Dhul-Yadain.