The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed Zuhr then he turned to face them and they said: 'Has there been some change concerning the prayer?' He said: 'Why are you asking?' They told him what he had done, so he turned back toward the Qiblah and prostrated twice. Then he said the salam and turned to face them and said: 'I am only human, I forget as you forget, so if I forget, then remind me.' And he said: 'If there had been some change concerning the prayer I would have told you.' And he said: 'If one of you is not sure about his prayer, let him estimate what is closest to what is correct, then let him complete it on that basis, then prostrate twice.'
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1244
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes fundamental principles regarding forgetfulness in prayer. The incident occurred when the Prophet led the Zuhr prayer and mistakenly concluded after two rak'ahs instead of four. The companions, noticing this deviation, respectfully inquired about a potential change in prayer timings.
Human Nature and Prophetic Humility
The Prophet's statement "I am only human, I forget as you forget" demonstrates the Islamic understanding that prophets, while protected from major sins, were subject to ordinary human lapses in matters not related to revelation. This humility allows Muslims to approach prayer with confidence, knowing that occasional mistakes are part of human nature.
His instruction "if I forget, then remind me" establishes the permissibility of correcting the prayer leader when an error is noticed, provided it is done respectfully and discreetly.
The Prostration of Forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw)
The Prophet's action of performing two prostrations before the final salam demonstrates the prescribed remedy for prayer omissions. These prostrations compensate for errors in prayer whether due to addition, omission, or doubt.
The ruling applies equally to prayer leaders and individual worshippers, ensuring uniformity in correcting prayer deficiencies.
Methodology for Prayer Doubt
The instruction to "estimate what is closest to what is correct" provides a practical methodology for resolving uncertainty during prayer. This principle requires the worshipper to base their continuation on the scenario they are more certain about, then complete the prayer accordingly.
The final two prostrations serve as a comprehensive corrective measure, ensuring the prayer's validity regardless of the actual mistake made.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the primary textual evidence for the legislation of Sujud al-Sahw in Islamic jurisprudence. All major schools of law derive their rulings on forgetfulness prostrations from this and similar narrations.
The Prophet's assurance that he would inform them of any legitimate changes in prayer emphasizes that religious rulings remain fixed unless explicitly changed through revelation.