The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered one of the afternoon prayers with five (rak'ahs), and it was said to him: "Has something been added to the prayer?" He said: 'Why are you asking?' They said: 'You prayed five.' He said: 'I am only human, I forget as you forget, and I remember as you remember.' Then he prostrated twice then ended his prayer.
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1259
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered one of the afternoon prayers with five (rak'ahs), and it was said to him: "Has something been added to the prayer?" He said: 'Why are you asking?' They said: 'You prayed five.' He said: 'I am only human, I forget as you forget, and I remember as you remember.' Then he prostrated twice then ended his prayer.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the principle of human fallibility in prayer, even for the Prophet (ﷺ). His statement "I am only human" demonstrates that forgetfulness is inherent to human nature and not a deficiency in prophethood.
The Companions' respectful inquiry shows the proper etiquette when noticing an apparent error in prayer - they asked indirectly rather than correcting directly during prayer.
The Prophet's response teaches humility and acknowledges shared human experience. His immediate correction through two prostrations (sujud al-sahw) establishes the remedy for prayer errors due to forgetfulness.
This incident forms the foundation for the Islamic legal principle of "prostration of forgetfulness" (sujud al-sahw), which rectifies omissions or additions in prayer performed unintentionally.
Legal Implications
When a worshipper adds an extra rak'ah unintentionally, they must perform two prostrations of forgetfulness before the tasleem (salutation ending prayer).
The prayer remains valid despite the error when corrected with sujud al-sahw, demonstrating Allah's mercy in accommodating human imperfection.
This ruling applies equally to congregational prayers - if the imam errs, the entire congregation follows him in performing the correction prostrations.