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.