"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed and did more or less (rak'ahs). When he had said the taslim, it was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, has there been some change concerning the prayer?' He said: 'If there had been some change concerning the prayer, I would have told you. Rather I am a human being and I forget as you forget. If any one of you is not sure about his prayer, let him consider an estimate of what is correct, and complete his prayer on that basis, then say the taslim and prostrate twice.'"
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1242
Hadith Text
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed and did more or less (rak'ahs). When he had said the taslim, it was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, has there been some change concerning the prayer?' He said: 'If there had been some change concerning the prayer, I would have told you. Rather I am a human being and I forget as you forget. If any one of you is not sure about his prayer, let him consider an estimate of what is correct, and complete his prayer on that basis, then say the taslim and prostrate twice.'"
Commentary on the Prophet's Humanity
This narration establishes the fundamental principle that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), while divinely guided in matters of revelation, remained fully human in his physical and mental attributes. His admission of forgetfulness demonstrates that such human limitations do not detract from prophethood, but rather make his example more accessible to ordinary believers.
Legal Ruling on Prayer Doubt
The hadith provides the primary solution for uncertainty in prayer: one should base their action on what they are most certain of (al-yaqīn) and complete the prayer accordingly. This principle of acting upon certainty rather than doubt is a fundamental maxim in Islamic jurisprudence that applies to various acts of worship.
The Prostration of Forgetfulness
The two prostrations (sujūd al-sahw) mentioned serve as a rectification for deficiencies occurring during prayer due to forgetfulness. Scholars differ on whether these prostrations are performed before or after the final taslīm, with both positions having evidence in other narrations.
Practical Application
When a worshipper experiences doubt about the number of rak'ahs performed, they should: 1) Reflect carefully to determine the most probable scenario, 2) Complete the prayer based on this determination, 3) Perform the taslīm, and 4) Perform two prostrations of forgetfulness before or after the final salutation.