The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1255

Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) led them in praying Zuhr with five (rak'ahs). They said: 'You prayed five.' So he prostrated twice after he had said the taslim, while he was sitting.

Scholarly Commentary

This narration demonstrates the established Sunnah of performing the prostrations of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) when an error occurs in prayer. The Prophet's action after being informed of praying five rak'ahs instead of four shows that these prostrations are valid even after the taslīm (salutation ending prayer).

The scholars hold that when a prayer leader adds an extra rak'ah, they must perform two prostrations of forgetfulness. This incident specifically addresses the case where the imam remembers the mistake after completing the prayer. The prostrations are performed while sitting, as indicated by the phrase "while he was sitting," which is the proper manner for these corrective prostrations.

This hadith establishes that the validity of prayer is maintained through these corrective measures, demonstrating Allah's mercy in facilitating the rectification of unintentional errors in worship. The Companions' respectful notification to the Prophet also teaches the etiquette of correcting prayer leaders with wisdom and proper manners.