Sujood As-Sahw
The Chapter of Prayer
Sujood As-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)
Prayer is a great act of worship,
but human beings are naturally prone to forgetfulness and mistakes.
For this reason, Allah prescribed Sujood As-Sahw as a mercy for worshippers,
so they can make up for the نقص (deficiency) that occurs in their prayer.
First: What Is Sujood As-Sahw?
Sujood As-Sahw is: Two prostrations performed at the end of the prayer
when a mistake or forgetfulness occurs.
It is a form of mercy from Allah,
so the worshipper does not have to repeat the prayer due to minor errors.
Second: When Is Sujood As-Sahw Required?
Sujood As-Sahw is prescribed in three main situations:
1) Adding Something to the Prayer
Such as:
Adding an extra unit (rak‘ah)
An extra bowing
Or an extra prostration
If the person remembers:
They complete the prayer
Then perform Sujood As-Sahw
2) Leaving Something Out of the Prayer
Such as:
Forgetting the first tashahhud
Or leaving one of the prayer duties
In this case:
The prayer is completed
The deficiency is corrected with Sujood As-Sahw
3) Doubt in the Number of Units
If the worshipper doubts:
Did I pray three or four units?
Then:
They build upon certainty (the lesser number)
Complete the prayer
And perform Sujood As-Sahw
Third: How Is Sujood As-Sahw Performed?
Sujood As-Sahw consists of:
Two prostrations like the regular prostrations of prayer
Saying:
“Subhana Rabbi al-A‘la”
Then:
Sit between the two prostrations
And perform the second prostration
Fourth: Is It Before or After the Salam?
There is flexibility in this matter,
but a general guideline is:
In the case of deficiency or doubt:
the prostration is before the salam
In the case of addition:
the prostration is after the salam
Fifth: Does Every Mistake Require Sujood As-Sahw?
No.
Sujood As-Sahw is required when:
A duty is left
Something is added to the prayer
There is doubt in the number of units
It is not required when:
A Sunnah is left
Or a disliked act is committed
Common Questions
I forgot the first tashahhud. What should I do?
Complete the prayer,
then perform Sujood As-Sahw before the salam.
I doubted the number of units. What should I do?
Build upon the lesser number,
complete the prayer,
then perform Sujood As-Sahw.
Does leaving a Sunnah require Sujood As-Sahw?
No.
Leaving a Sunnah does not require it.
Summary: Sujood As-Sahw
It is two prostrations to correct mistakes in prayer
It is prescribed for addition, deficiency, or doubt
It may be before or after the salam
It is a mercy from Allah for the worshippers
Madrasat Al-Quran
We teach you how to correct your prayer when mistakes happen,
so your connection with Allah remains strong.
Through knowledge, the heart finds peace in worship.