As human beings we are by nature subject to mistakes and errors and as
mentioned earlier, if a person fails to perform any of the pillars of
the prayer and/or necessary duties, the person is required to mend the
error by coming up with two prostration at the end of the prayer known
as "Sujuud Sahw" i.e. forgetfulness prostration, although, where a
pillar(s) is omitted a repetition of the missed pillar(s) is necessary.
There are some disagreements between religious jurists regarding this
subject as to whether it should be performed before or after the words
of peace (Tasleem). What seems to be a fair solution, however, is that
if a person made an addition to the prayer, then, the two prostration
of forgetfulness should be performed after reciting the Tasleem. While,
if a deduction is made from the prayer, then, the two prostration of
forgetfulness should be performed before reciting the Tasleem. However,
where both an addition and a deduction may have been made in the course
of the prayer, then, in this case, the forgetfulness prostration can be
performed before the recitation of the words of peace (Tasleem).
Various Instances Where "Sujuud Sahw" Becomes Apparent
- Where a Pillar of the Prayer is Omitted:
- Where, for example, a person forgets to recite the
"Al-Fatihah" but remembers the same before Rukuu or in the process of
bowing, then, the person is required to resume a proper standing
position and read the "Al-Fatihah" and some other verses from the Holy
Qur'an as usual. If this omission occurred in the first rakaat and the
person remembers the omission while in the course of the second rakaat,
then, the person should count the second rakaat as being the first
rakaat and treat the first one in which he/she missed to recite the
"Al-Fatihah" as null and void. The person should then proceed to
perform one more rakaat to complete his/her Salaat and at the end,
recite the "Tasleem" (words of peace) after which, the person comes up
with the two prostration of forgetfulness and again, recites the
Tasleem.
- If, however, while sitting for the final "At-Tashahud",
(the words of witness), a person remembers that he missed a
prostration, then the person should immediately come up with the missed
prostration and sit back again to repeat a recitation of the
At-Tashahud. The person would then say the Tasleem to conclude the
prayer, but would thereafter come up with the two prostration of
forgetfulness before once again reciting the Tasleem. The above are
some examples where errors are committed in performing FARAIDH (i.e.
Pillars) of the Salaat, wherein, the person is not only required to
repeat the missed act, but also, to come up with the two prostration of
forgetfulness.
- Where a Necessary Duty is Omitted: However, where someone
misses a "WAJIB" (Necessary Duty) of the prayer, the mere coming up
with the two prostration of forgetfulness will suffice without the need
for repeating the missed act. Thus, if a Wajib act is missed and the
person remembers it after starting another action of the prayer, then,
he is not required to repeat the forgotten act but would proceed to
complete the rest of the Salaat and at the end just before the Tasleem,
the person comes up with the two prostration of forgetfulness.
- Where a Preferred Act is Omitted: As for SUNNANS (Preferred
Acts) of the prayer which may be missed, neither is it a requirement to
repeat them nor is the forgetfulness prostration needed.
