This short note explains the jurisprudential rationale behind sujud al-sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness) and summarizes the mainstream ruling: if missed, it should be made up promptly and does not invalidate the prayer, while deliberate omission constitutes a sin.
In this article we examine the wisdom and philosophy of failing to perform the prostration of forgetfulness in prayer. This topic gives us a deeper understanding of prayer and its principles and helps us strengthen our relationship with God.
Prayer, as one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, plays an important role in the daily life of Muslims. Within this context, sujud al-sahw functions as a supplementary act in prayer intended to remedy mistakes and lapses that may occur during the ritual.
Sujud al-sahw is the prostration performed due to forgetfulness or an error in prayer. This act serves as compensation for mistakes that might occur during the prayer. For example, if someone forgets how many units (rak‘ahs) they have prayed or accidentally adds an extra rak‘ah, sujud al-sahw helps them conclude the prayer correctly.
Sujud al-sahw is performed for two basic reasons:
Adding a rak‘ah: If a person has prayed one rak‘ah more than they should, they perform sujud al-sahw.
Omitting a rak‘ah: If a person has prayed one rak‘ah fewer than required, they perform sujud al-sahw.
Question: If a worshipper was required to perform sujud al-sahw but, whether intentionally or unintentionally, did not perform it, what is the ruling on their prayer?
Answer: If the obligatory sujud al-sahw was not performed after the taslim (the concluding salutation) — whether intentionally or unintentionally — the person must perform it as soon as possible (while observing its conditions). However, the prayer is not invalidated; although, if the omission was intentional, it is a sinful act.
