"Alqamah prayed five (rak'ahs) and when he said the taslim, Ibrahim bin Suwaid said : 'O Abu Shibl, you prayed five!' He said: 'Is that true, O odd-eyed one?' Then he prostrated two prostrations of forgetfulness, then he said: 'This is what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did.'"
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1258
Hadith Text
"Alqamah prayed five (rak'ahs) and when he said the taslim, Ibrahim bin Suwaid said : 'O Abu Shibl, you prayed five!' He said: 'Is that true, O odd-eyed one?' Then he prostrated two prostrations of forgetfulness, then he said: 'This is what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did.'"
Commentary on the Narration
This hadith demonstrates the established Sunnah of performing prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw) when adding an extra rak'ah in prayer. Alqamah's immediate acceptance of correction shows the importance of humility in religious matters.
Legal Ruling
When a worshipper adds an extra rak'ah to their prayer, they must perform two prostrations of forgetfulness before the final taslim. This applies whether the addition was intentional or accidental, though intentional addition may require repetition of the prayer.
Scholarly Insights
The companions' informal address ("O odd-eyed one") reflects the familiarity among early Muslims while maintaining religious seriousness. Alqamah's reference to the Prophet's practice establishes this ruling as divinely guided rather than personal opinion.