Sujud As-Sahu Position
Sujud As-Sahu (prostration of forgetfulness) occurs when there is an addition or omission during the prayer. Regardless of the frequency of these mistakes, two prostrations are sufficient. If the mistake is due to omission, the two prostrations are performed before concluding the prayer. Conversely, if the mistake is one of addition, they should be completed after the Tasleem (salutation). In cases where both addition and omission occur, the prostrations are performed before the Tasleem, accompanied by the Takbir (exclamation of ‘Allah is the Greatest’).
If Sujud As-Sahu takes place after the Tasleem, the worshipper should recite the Tashahhud and then conclude their prayer. For the two prostrations performed before the Tasleem, the conclusion of the prayer is sufficient. There are two opinions regarding the Tashahhud for these prostrations: if the worshipper forgets it, they can perform the two prostrations after the Tasleem whenever they remember, regardless of the passage of time. For the prostrations conducted prior to Tasleem, they should be performed unless a significant amount of time has elapsed or the person has lost their wudhu (ablution), in which case they must redo the prayer.
Types of Mistakes in Prayer
A worshipper may forget four types of actions during prayer, which include:
- The obligatory (Rukn).
- The Sunnah.
- The recommended.
- The way of performing actions (sitting, prostrating, bowing, etc.).
Prostration of forgetfulness is only required for mistakes related to the Sunnah. For obligatory actions (Rukn), the prayer is invalid without performing them, and merely offering Sujud As-Sahu is insufficient.
Ruling on Doubt Regarding Number of Rak’ahs
If an individual is uncertain about how many Rak’ahs they have performed, they should base their actions on what they are most certain of and perform Sujud after Tasleem. However, for those overcome by doubts and mental distractions, they should follow what they are most inclined to believe. It is recommended to perform Sujud after Tasleem, and the follower (Muqtadi) does not prostrate for their own forgetfulness. The Imam bears the responsibility, and if he forgets, the follower should prostrate together with him during the Imam’s forgetfulness or after he has completed the prayer. If the follower prostrates before Tasleem, they must wait until the Imam finishes his prayer before prostrating.
Ruling on Sujud As-Sahu
Sujud As-Sahu is a strongly recommended Sunnah, and there are eight actions that require Sujud As-Sahu:
- Recitation beyond Al-Fatiha.
- Loud recitation.
- Quiet recitation.
- Repeating Takbir more than twice, excluding the Takbir at the beginning of the prayer.
- Saying tasbih (praising Allah) more than twice.
- The first Tashahhud.
- Sitting for the first Tashahhud.
- The second Tashahhud in a three-Rak’ah prayer, such as Maghrib, or in a four-Rak’ah prayer like Dhuhr.
Individuals Exempted from Sujud As-Sahu
Certain individuals are not required to perform Sujud As-Sahu, including:
- Those uncertain whether they have completed the Tasleem; they may prostrate without any consequence.
- Individuals unsure whether they performed one or two prostrations during the pre-Tasleem phase—they should perform the second without penalty.
- Anyone reciting a Surah in the last two Rak’ahs, or in one of them, or the last Rak’ah of Maghrib—no Sujud is required for this addition.
- Those transitioning from one Surah to another.
- Individuals who involuntarily discharge vomit, provided it is minimal and pure without deliberate action.
- Those who raise their voices during a quiet recitation or merely move their tongues in a loud recitation of a verse from Al-Fatiha or any other Surah.
- Worshippers who repeat a Surah in its correct form after having recited it incorrectly.
- Individuals content with merely hearing themselves during a loud prayer or who communicate with those alongside them during a silent prayer.
Obligations for Pre and Post Tasleem Sujud As-Sahu
There are five obligations for post Tasleem Sujud:
- Intention
- The first prostration
- The second prostration
- Sitting between the two prostrations
- Tasleem
Ruling on the Latecomer if the Imam Must Prostrate
If the latecomer joins the congregational prayer and finds the Imam in need of Sujud As-Sahu after completing one or more Rak’ahs, they should perform the prostration with the Imam prior to completing their missed Rak’ahs if the Imam’s required Sujud is before Tasleem. If the Imam forgets the pre-Tasleem Sujud, the latecomer must perform Sujud As-Sahu for themselves before finishing their missed portions of prayer.
If the Imam’s Sujud is required afterward, and the latecomer performs it after the Imam has completed his prayer, their prayer is invalidated. If the latecomer forgets to account for their omissions while completing their missed Rak’ahs and the Imam’s Sujud is needed after rejoining, they should perform it before concluding their prayer, addressing both their previous omissions and the Imam’s necessary addition. This applies only if they manage to join the prayer for at least one Rak’ah. If the latecomer joins for less than one Rak’ah and prostrates with the Imam before Tasleem, then their prayer is invalidated.