Chapter on Rulings on Forgetfulness (Sahw) in Prayer and What Requires Repeating of Prayer

What was narrated by al-Husayn ibn Sa’id, from al-Nadr, from ‘Asim, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, who said: I asked Abu Ja’far عليه السلام about a man who has doubt in the first rak’ah. Imam عليه السلام said: "He must start over."

And from him, from Muhammad bin Sinan, from Ibn Maskan and Fadalah, from Husayn bin Uthman, from Ibn Maskan, from Anbasah bin Mus'ab, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said to me: "If you are doubtful regarding the first two rak‘ahs, then repeat (the prayer)."

And from him, from Ahmad al-Qarawi, from Aban, from Isma'il al-Ju'fi and Ibn Abi Ya'fur: Abu Ja'far عليه السلام and Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, they said: "If you do not know whether you prayed one rak‘ah or two, then start over."

And from him, from al-Nadr, from Musa bin Bakr, who said: Al-Fudayl asked Him عليه السلام about forgetfulness (in prayer). Imam عليه السلام said: "If you are doubtful about first two (rak‘ahs), then repeat (the prayer)."

Al-Hasan, from Zur‘ah, from Sama‘ah, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "If a man is forgetful in the first two rak‘ahs of the Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers and does not know whether he prayed one or two, then it is obligatory upon him to repeat the prayer."

Fadalah, from Rifa‘ah, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed one rak‘ah or two. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer)."

And from him, from Fadalah, from Husayn bin Uthman, from Harun bin Kharijah, from Abu Basir: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you are forgetful in the first two rak‘ahs, then repeat them until you establish them firmly."

And from him, from Fadalah, from Hammad, from al-Fadl bin Abd al-Malik, who said: Imam عليه السلام said to me: "If you do not remember the first two rak‘ahs, then repeat your prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Muhammad bin Isma‘il, from al-Fadl bin Shadhan, and Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, all from Hammad bin ‘Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah, from one of them (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them both, who said: I said to Him عليه السلام: “A man does not know whether he prayed one rak‘ah or two.” Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer)."

And from him, from Muhammad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from al-Hasan bin Ali al-Washa’ and al-Husayn bin Muhammad, from Mu‘alla bin Muhammad, from al-Washa’, who said: Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said to me: "Repetition is for the first two rak‘ahs, and forgetfulness is for the last two rak‘ahs."

As for what was narrated by Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Ali bin al-Hakam, from al-Husayn bin Abi al-‘Ala’, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or one. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should complete (the prayer)."

And what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from al-Sindi bin al-Rabi‘, from al-Hasan bin Mahbub, from Abd al-Rahman bin al-Hajjaj: Abu Ibrahim عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said regarding a man who does not know whether he prayed one rak‘ah or two. Imam عليه السلام said: "He builds upon the one rak‘ah."

And what was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Abi Nasr, from Abd al-Karim bin ‘Amr, from Abdillah bin Abi Ya‘fur, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or one. Imam عليه السلام said: "He completes (the prayer) with one rak‘ah."

And what was narrated by Sa‘d also, from Abu Ja‘far, from al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Fadalah bin Ayyub, from al-Husayn bin Abi al-‘Ala’: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, (said) regarding a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or one. Imam عليه السلام said: "He completes according to his prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, and from Muhammad bin Isma‘il, from al-Fadl bin Shadhan, all from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hafs bin al-Bakhtari and others: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you are doubtful in Maghrib, then repeat (the prayer), and if you are doubtful in Fajr, then repeat (the prayer)."

And from him, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Muhammad bin Muslim, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who is praying and does not know whether he prayed one rak‘ah or two. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should start over until he is certain that he has completed (the prayer), and this applies in Jumu‘ah, in Maghrib, and in prayer during travel."

And from him, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Yunus, from a man: Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "There is no forgetfulness in Maghrib and Fajr."

Al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Safwan and Fadalah, from al-‘Ala’, from Muhammad bin Muslim, from one of them (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them both, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about forgetfulness in Maghrib. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer) until he remembers, for it is not like the Shaf‘ (even-numbered prayers)."

And from him, from Muhammad bin Sinan, from Ibn Maskan, and Fadalah, from Husayn, from Ibn Maskan, from Anbasah bin Mus‘ab, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you are doubtful in Maghrib, then repeat (the prayer), and if you are doubtful in Fajr, then repeat (the prayer)."

And from him, from al-Nadr, from Musa bin Bakr, from al-Fudayl, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about forgetfulness. Imam عليه السلام said: "In the Maghrib prayer, if you do not remember whether it was three or four (rak‘ahs), then repeat your prayer."

And from him, from al-Hasan, from Zur‘ah bin Muhammad, from al-Hadrami, from Sama‘ah, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about forgetfulness in the Fajr prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "If you do not know whether you prayed one rak‘ah or two, then repeat the prayer from the beginning. And Jumu‘ah also, if the Imam (of prayer) is forgetful in it, then he must repeat the prayer, because it is two rak‘ahs. And Maghrib, if one is forgetful in it and does not know how many rak‘ahs he prayed, then he must repeat the prayer."

And from him, from Fadalah, from Husayn bin Uthman, from Harun bin Kharijah, from Abu Basir, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you are forgetful in the Maghrib prayer, then repeat the prayer."

And from him, from Fadalah, from al-‘Ala’, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who doubts in the Fajr prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer)." I asked: (how about) "Maghrib?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, and Witr, and Jumu‘ah", without me asking Him عليه السلام about them.

And from him, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hafs bin al-Bakhtari and more than one person: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “If you are doubtful in Maghrib, then repeat (the prayer), and if you are doubtful in Fajr, then repeat (the prayer).”

As for what was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from al-Husayn, from Fadalah, from Sayf bin Umayrah, from Abu Bakr al-Hadrami: He (Abu Bakr al-Hadrami) said: “I led my companions in the Maghrib prayer, and when I had prayed two rak‘ahs, I performed the taslim. Some of them said, ‘You only prayed two rak‘ahs.’ So I repeated the prayer. Then I informed Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him. Imam عليه السلام said: "Perhaps you repeated it?" I said: "Yes." Imam عليه السلام laughed and then said: "It would have sufficed you to stand and perform one rak‘ah. The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family, once forgot and performed the taslim after two rak‘ahs.” And then He عليه السلام mentioned the narration of Dhu al-Shimalayn, and said: “Then he stood and added two rak‘ahs to it."

And Sa‘d narrated from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Ja‘far bin Bashir, from al-Harith bin al-Mughirah al-Nasri, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “We prayed Maghrib, and the imam (of prayer) was forgetful and performed the taslim after two rak‘ahs, so we repeated the prayer.” Imam عليه السلام said: "And why did you repeat it? Did not the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) once leave the prayer after two rak‘ahs and then complete it with two more (rak’ahs)? Should you not have completed it?"

Sa‘d, from Ayyub bin Nuh, from Ali bin al-Nu‘man al-Razi, who said: I (al-Razi) was with some companions of mine on a journey, and I was their Imam (of prayer). I led them in the Maghrib prayer and performed the taslim after the first two rak‘ahs. My companions said: "You only prayed two rak‘ahs with us." We spoke to each other, and they said: "As for us, we will repeat (the prayer)." So I said: "As for me, I will not repeat it; I will complete it with one rak‘ah." So I completed it with one rak‘ah. Then we continued our journey, and I came to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him and mentioned to Him عليه السلام what had happened with us. Imam عليه السلام said to me: "You acted more correctly than they did. Only the one who does not know what he has prayed must repeat (the prayer)."

Al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad and al-Hakam bin Miskin, from ‘Ammar al-Sabati, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man doubts in the Maghrib prayer and does not know whether he has prayed two rak‘ahs or three.” Imam عليه السلام said: "He performs the taslim, then stands and adds to it one rak‘ah." Then Imam عليه السلام said: "By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, this is something that is never made up (qadha)."

And what was narrated by Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Mu‘awiyah bin Hakim, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from Hammad al-Nabb, from ‘Ammar al-Sabati, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or one in the Fajr prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should recite the tashahhud and conclude (the prayer), then stand and pray one rak‘ah. If he had prayed two rak‘ahs, then this (extra) rak‘ah is a recommended prayer (nafilah), and if he had prayed only one rak‘ah, then this is the completion of the prayer." I asked: "And what if he prayed Maghrib and does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or three?" Imam عليه السلام said: "He should recite the tashahhud and conclude (the prayer), then stand and pray one rak‘ah. If he had prayed three, then this (extra) rak‘ah is a recommended prayer (nafilah), and if he had prayed two, then this is the completion of the prayer. And by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, this is something that is never made up (qadah’)."

And from him, from al-Hajjal, from Abdillah عليه السلام, from ‘Ubayd: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said regarding a man who prayed one rak‘ah of Fajr, then went away and came back after morning had begun and remembered that he had prayed only one rak‘ah. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should add one rak‘ah to it."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya al-Mu‘adhi, from al-Tayalisi, from Sayf bin Umayrah, from Ishaq bin ‘Ammar, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If your assumption always leans toward completion (the higher number) in every prayer, then perform two prostrations (sajdatayn) without a ruku‘. Do you understand?" I said: "Yes."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Ya‘qub bin Yazid, from Ali bin al-Nu‘man, from al-Husayn bin Abi al-‘Ala’, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said: "I came to the imam (of prayer) while he had preceded me by one rak‘ah in the Fajr prayer. When he completed the prayer with the taslim, it occurred in my heart that I had completed (my prayer), so I remained engaged in the remembrance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى until the sun rose. When the sun rose, I stood up and remembered that the Imam had preceded me by one rak‘ah." Imam عليه السلام said: "If you were still in your place, then complete it with one rak‘ah; but if you had already left, then you must repeat the prayer."

Al-‘Ayyashi, from Ja‘far bin Ahmad, who said: Ali bin al-Husayn and Ali bin Muhammad narrated to me, from al-‘Ubaydi, from Yunus, from al-‘Ala’, from Muhammad bin Muslim, from one of them (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them both, who said: He عليه السلام was asked about a man who joined the imam (of prayer) in prayer while the imam (of prayer) had already completed one rak‘ah before him. When the imam finished the prayer, the man left with the people, then remembered that he had missed a rak‘ah. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat one rak‘ah, it is permissible for him to do so as long as he has not turned his face away from the qiblah. But if he has completely turned his face away, then he must start the prayer anew from the beginning."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Muhammad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Fadalah bin Ayyub, from Aban, from Abd al-Rahman bin Sayabah and Abu al-‘Abbas: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you do not know whether you have prayed three rak‘ahs or four, and your inclination falls upon three, then build upon three. And if your inclination falls upon four, then give the taslim and depart. But if your doubt is balanced (with no inclination toward either), then depart and pray two rak‘ahs while sitting."

And from him, from Muhammad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Ali bin Hadid, from Jamil, from some of our companions: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said regarding someone who does not know whether he prayed three rak‘ahs or four, and his doubt between them is equal. Imam عليه السلام said: "When the doubt is equal between three and four, then he has a choice: if he wishes, he may pray one rak‘ah while standing, and if he wishes, he may pray two rak‘ahs with four prostrations."

Al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Fadalah, from al-Husayn bin ‘Uthman, from Sama‘ah, from Abu Basir, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who prayed and did not know whether he was in the third rak‘ah or the fourth. Imam عليه السلام said: "Whatever his assumption inclines toward, if he thinks he is in the third and there is still something in his heart about the fourth, then he should conclude (the prayer) between himself and his Lord عز وجل, then pray two rak‘ahs in which he recites the Opening of the Book (Surah al-Fatiha) in both."

And from him, from Fadalah, from al-Husayn bin Abi al-‘Ala’: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If his doubt is equal between three and four, then he should give the taslim and pray two rak‘ahs and four prostrations, reciting the Opening of the Book (Surah al-Fatiha) in them, while he is seated, shortening the tashahhud."

Al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Muhammad bin Muslim, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who prayed two rak‘ahs and does not know whether they were two or four. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should give the taslim, then stand and pray two rak‘ahs, reciting the Opening of the Book (Surah al-Fatiha) in them, perform the tashahhud, and then conclude (the prayer), and nothing is required of him."

And from him, from Hammad, from Shu‘ayb, from Abu Basir: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you do not know whether you prayed four rak‘ahs or two, then stand and perform two rak‘ahs, then give the taslim. Then perform two more rak‘ahs, then give the taslim, and then perform two prostrations (sajdatayn) while sitting, and then give the taslim after them."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Yunus, from Ibn Maskan, from Ibn Abi Ya‘fur, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or four. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should recite the tashahhud and give the taslim, then stand and pray two rak‘ahs and four prostrations, reciting the Opening of the Book (Surah al-Fatiha) in both of them, then recite the tashahhud and give the taslim. If he had already prayed four, then these two are (counted as) recommended prayers (nafilah), and if he had only prayed two, then these complete the four. And if he spoke (during this state), then he must perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness (sajdatay al-sahw)."

And from him, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, and from Muhammad bin Isma‘il, from al-Fadl bin Shadhan, all from Hammad bin ‘Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah, from one of them (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them both, who said: I said to Him عليه السلام: “A person does not know whether he is in the fourth rak‘ah or the second, but he is certain that he has completed two rak‘ahs.” Imam عليه السلام said: "He should pray two rak‘ahs and four prostrations while standing, reciting the Opening of the Book (Surah al-Fatiha), and perform the tashahhud, and nothing is upon him. And if he does not know whether he is in the third or the fourth, and he is certain he has completed three rak‘ahs, then he should stand and add one more, and nothing is upon him. One does not nullify certainty with doubt, and one should not insert doubt into certainty, nor mix the two together. Rather, doubt is nullified by certainty, and he completes the prayer based on what is certain and builds upon it, and doubt is not to be regarded in any situation."

As for what was narrated by al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Fadalah, from al-‘Ala’, from Muhammad, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or four. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat the prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from some of his companions: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, (said) regarding a man who prayed and did not know whether he had prayed two, three, or four rak‘ahs. Imam عليه السلام said: "Then he should stand and pray two rak‘ahs while standing and give the taslim, then pray two rak‘ahs while sitting and give the taslim. If he had actually prayed four rak‘ahs, then the two rak‘ahs are counted as recommended (nafilah), and if not, then the four rak‘ahs are completed."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Ali bin Isma‘il, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Ibn Abi Ya‘fur: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you are doubtful and do not know whether you are in the third, or the second, or the first, or the fourth, then repeat (the prayer), and do not proceed based on doubt."

And from him, from ‘Abbad bin Sulayman, from Sa‘d bin Sa‘d, from Safwan: Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you do not know how many rak‘ahs you have prayed, and your assumption does not settle upon anything, then repeat the prayer."

As for what was narrated by Ahmad bin Muhammad, from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Yaqtin, from his brother al-Husayn bin Ali, from their father Ali bin Yaqtin, who said: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know how many rak‘ahs he has prayed, one, or two, or three. Imam عليه السلام said: “He should build upon what he is certain of, and perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness (sajdatay al-sahw), and recite a light tashahhud."

As for what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Mu‘awiyah bin Hakim, from Abdillah bin al-Mughirah, from Ali bin Abi Hamzah, from a righteous man, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who doubts and does not know whether he has prayed one, two, three, or four rak‘ahs, his prayer becomes confused for him. Imam عليه السلام said: "All of that?" I said: "Yes." Imam عليه السلام said: "Then let him continue in his prayer and seek refuge with Allah سبحانه وتعالى from Shaytan, for soon it will leave him."

What was narrated by Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, and from Muhammad bin Isma‘il, from al-Fadl bin Shadhan, all from Hammad bin ‘Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah and Abu Basir, who said: We said to Him عليه السلام: “A man frequently doubts in his prayer to the extent that he no longer knows how much he has prayed or what remains upon him.” Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer)." We asked: “But it happens to him frequently, every time he repeats, he doubts again.” Imam عليه السلام said: "Then he should proceed with his doubt." Then Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not accustom the evil one (‘al-khabith’), meaning the Shaytan, from yourselves to breaking the prayer, lest you encourage him, for Shaytan is wicked and becomes accustomed to whatever he is trained with. So let one of you proceed in his assumption and not frequently invalidate the prayer, for if he does that repeatedly, the doubt will not return to him." Zurarah said: “Then Imam عليه السلام said: ‘Indeed, the evil one only wants to be obeyed; so when he is disobeyed, he does not return to any one of you.’"

What was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from al-‘Amraki, from Ali bin Ja‘far, from his brother (Imam) Musa bin Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who stands in prayer and does not know whether he has prayed anything or not. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should start over."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Muhammad bin Abdillah bin Hilal, from ‘Uqbah bin Khalid: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said regarding a man who prayed the Night Prayer and performed the ‘Witr’, then remembered that he had forgotten two rak‘ahs from his prayer, what should he do? Imam عليه السلام said: "He should stand and pray the two rak‘ahs that he forgot at that place, then perform the ‘Witr’ again."

What was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad bin ‘Uthman, from ‘Ubaydallah al-Halabi, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who, in a two-rak‘ah recommended prayer (‘nafilah’), forgot and did not sit between the two rak‘ahs, and then stood and performed the ‘ruku’ in the third. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should abandon that rak‘ah, sit down, recite the ‘tashahhud’, and give the ‘taslim’. Then he may begin a new prayer afterward."

Muhammad bin Mas‘ud al-‘Ayyashi said: Hamdawayh bin Nusair narrated to me, who said: Ayyub bin Nuh narrated to us, from Abdillah bin al-Mughirah, who said: Ibn Maskan informed us, from al-Hasan al-Sayqal: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (peace be upon him) said regarding a man who is praying the two rak‘ahs of ‘Witr’, and he stands up and forgets the ‘tashahhud’ until he performs ‘ruku’, and then remembers while he is in ‘ruku’. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should sit from his ‘ruku’, recite the ‘tashahhud’, then stand and complete (his prayer)." He (narrator) said: “I asked (Imam عليه السلام) ‘Did you not say concerning the obligatory prayer, that if one remembers after performing ‘ruku’, he should continue and then perform two prostrations (of forgetfulness) after completing the prayer, and recite the ‘tashahhud’ in them?’ Imam عليه السلام said: "The ‘nafilah’ (recommended prayer) is not like the ‘faridah’ (obligatory prayer)."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from al-Husayn bin Muhammad, from Abdillah bin ‘Amir, from Ali bin Mahziyar, from Fadalah bin Ayyub, from al-Husayn bin ‘Uthman, from ‘Amr bin Abi Nasr, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man stands in prayer and wants to recite a surah, and he begins with ‘Surah Al-Ikhlas’ and ‘Surah Al-Kafirun’”. Imam عليه السلام said: "He may return (change to another surah) from any surah except ‘Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad’ and ‘Qul Ya Ayyuhal-Kafirun’."

Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Ibn Maskan, from al-Halabi, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man recites ‘Surah Al-Ikhlas’ in the Fajr prayer.” Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no problem. And whoever begins with a surah and then decides to switch to another surah, there is no problem, except for ‘Surah Al-Ikhlas’, from which he may not switch to another, and likewise ‘Surah Al-Kafirun’."

Sa‘d, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from Hammad bin ‘Uthman, from ‘Ubaydallah bin Ali al-Halabi; and al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Ali bin al-Nu‘man, from Abu al-Sabbah al-Kinani; and Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Abi Nasr, from al-Muthanna al-Hannat, from Abu Basir, all from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (said) regarding a man who, in an obligatory prayer (‘al-maktubah’), begins reciting from the middle of a surah, then forgets and begins another surah until he completes it, and then remembers before going into ‘ruku’. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should go into ‘ruku’, and it does not harm him."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn and Muhammad bin Isma‘il, from al-Fadl bin Shadhan, all from Safwan bin Yahya, from Abd al-Rahman bin al-Hajjaj, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who speaks forgetfully during the prayer and says, ‘Straighten your rows.’ Imam عليه السلام said: "He should complete his prayer, then perform two prostrations (sajdatay al-sahw)." I asked: "Are the two prostrations of forgetfulness before the ‘taslim’ or after it?" Imam عليه السلام said: "After it."

As for what was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Abu Ja‘far, from his father, and al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from ‘Umar bin Udhaynah, from Zurarah: Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, (said) regarding a man who is forgetful in the first two rak‘ahs and speaks. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should complete what remains of his prayer, whether he spoke or did not speak, and there is nothing upon him."

Al-Husayn bin Sa‘id, from Fadalah, from al-Qasim bin Burayd, from Muhammad bin Muslim: Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, (said) regarding a man who prayed two rak‘ahs of an obligatory prayer (‘al-maktubah’), then gave the ‘taslim’ thinking that he had completed the prayer and spoke, then remembered that he had only prayed two rak‘ah. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should complete what remains of his prayer, and there is nothing upon him."

As for what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin al-Hasan bin Ali bin Faddal, from ‘Amr bin Sa‘id al-Mada’ini, from Musaddiq bin Sadaqah, from ‘Ammar bin Musa al-Sabati: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (was asked) regarding a man who forgot the ‘tashahhud’ in prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "If he remembers that he at least said ‘Bismillah’, then his prayer is valid. But if he does not remember anything from ‘tashahhud’, he must repeat prayer." And (Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding a man who remembers after having stood up, spoken, and gone about his affairs, that he had only prayed two rak‘ahs in Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Isha, or Maghrib. Imam عليه السلام said: "He builds upon his prayer and completes it, even if he had reached China, and he does not need to repeat the prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad bin ‘Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah, from one of them (Imam عليه السلام), peace be upon them both, who said: I said to Him عليه السلام: “A man does not know whether he prayed one rak‘ah or two.” Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat (the prayer)." I asked: “A man does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or three.” Imam عليه السلام said: "If the doubt enters after he has already begun the third rak‘ah, then he should continue in the third, then pray the next rak‘ah (the fourth), and there is nothing upon him, and he should give the taslim."

As for what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Ja‘far, from Hammad bin ‘Isa, from ‘Ubayd bin Zurarah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who does not know whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or three. Imam عليه السلام said: "He must repeat (the prayer)." I asked: “Is it not said that a jurist does not repeat the prayer?” Imam عليه السلام said: "That is only in the case of doubt between three and four (rak‘ahs)."

Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Muhammad bin Sahl, from his father, who said: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about a man who does not know whether he prayed three rak‘ahs or two. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should build upon the lesser number and act according to what he is certain of. After finishing his prayer, he should recite a light tashahhud. This is to be done both at the beginning of the prayer and at its end."

Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Muhammad bin Khalid, from al-Hasan bin Ali, from Mu‘adh bin Muslim, from ‘Ammar bin Musa al-Sabati, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "Whenever doubt enters upon you in your prayer, then act according to the greater number." Imam عليه السلام said: "Then, after you finish, complete what you think you may have left out."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from ‘Umar bin Udhaynah, from Zurarah and Bukayr, the sons of A‘yan: Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If a man is certain that he has added something to his obligatory prayer, then he should not count it (as valid), and he must start his prayer over from the beginning, if he has attained definite certainty."

Ali bin Mahziyar, from Fadalah bin Ayyub, from Aban bin ‘Uthman, from Abu Basir, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever adds to his prayer, it is obligatory upon him to repeat it."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Muhammad bin Abdillah bin Hilal, from al-‘Ala’, from Muhammad bin Muslim, who said: I asked Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام about a man who, after finishing the Dhuhr prayer, becomes certain that he had prayed five rak‘ahs. Imam عليه السلام said: "And how did he become certain?" I said: “He knows it (to be certain).” Imam عليه السلام said: "If he knows that he had sat in the fourth rak‘ah, then his Dhuhr prayer is complete, and he should stand and add to the fifth rak‘ah another rak‘ah and two prostrations, so they will become two (extra) rak‘ahs as ‘nafilah’ (recommended prayer), and nothing is upon him."

Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Ibn Abi Nasr, from Jamil bin Darraj, from Zurarah, from Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who prayed five rak‘ahs. Imam عليه السلام said: "If he sat in the fourth rak‘ah for the duration of the tashahhud, then his prayer is complete."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub narrated from Ali bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Yunus bin Abd al-Rahman, from Abdillah bin Sinan: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you do not know whether you prayed four or five rak‘ahs, then perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness (‘sajdatay al-sahw’) after your ‘taslim’, then give the ‘taslim’ again after them."

Sa‘d, from Musa bin al-Hasan, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn bin Abi al-Khattab, from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Faddal, from Abdillah bin Maymun al-Qaddah, from (Imam) Ja‘far bin Muhammad عليه السلام, from his father (Imam al Baqir عليه السلام): (Imam) Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "The two prostrations of forgetfulness (‘sajdata al-sahw’) are to be performed after the ‘taslim’ and before speaking."

As for what was narrated by Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from al-Barqi, from Sa‘d bin Sa‘d al-Ash‘ari, who said: (Imam) Al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "In the two prostrations of forgetfulness (‘sajdatay al-sahw’), if there was a deficiency (in the prayer), then they are before the ‘taslim’; and if there was an addition, then they are after it."

And what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad, from Ibn Sinan, from Abu al-Jarud, who said: I said to Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “When should I perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness (‘sajdatay al-sahw’)?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Before the ‘taslim’, for if you give the ‘taslim’, the sanctity of your prayer has ended."

And as for what was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Ahmad bin al-Hasan bin Ali bin Faddal, from ‘Amr bin Sa‘id al-Mada’ini, from Musaddiq bin Sadaqah, from ‘Ammar bin Musa al-Sabati, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (peace be upon him), who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about the two prostrations of forgetfulness (‘sajdatay al-sahw’), is there in them any ‘takbir’ (saying "Allahu Akbar") or ‘tasbih’ (glorification)? Imam عليه السلام said: "No, they are only two prostrations. But if the one who erred is the imam (of prayer), then he says ‘takbir’ when he goes into prostration and when he raises his head, in order to inform those behind him that he has made an error. He is not required to say ‘tasbih’ in them, and there is no ‘tashahhud’ after the two prostrations."

What was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Abu Ja‘far, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from Hammad bin ‘Uthman, from ‘Ubaydallah bin Ali al-Halabi: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "If you do not know whether you have prayed four rak‘ahs or five, or whether you have omitted or added something, then perform the tashahhud, give the salam, and perform two prostrations (‘sajdatayn’) without bowing (‘ruku’) or recitation, and in them recite a light tashahhud."

As for what was narrated by Sa‘d bin Abdillah, from Abi Ja‘far, from his father, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from Hammad bin ‘Uthman, from ‘Ubaydallah al-Halabi, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, say regarding the two prostrations of forgetfulness: ‘In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and may Allah سبحانه وتعالى send blessings upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and upon the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.’ He (narrator) said: “And I heard Him عليه السلام on another occasion say in them: ‘In the Name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and peace be upon you, O Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and the mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His blessings.’

Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from al-Hasan bin Ali al-Washsha’, from Ali bin Asbat, from more than one of our companions: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, said: "Whoever forgets one of the prayers of his day and does not know which prayer it is, he should perform two rak’ahs, three, and four."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn bin Abi al-Khattab, from Ali bin Asbat, from more than one of our companions, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام:, the same (narration).

Al-‘Ayyashi, from Ja‘far bin Ahmad, said Ali bin al-Hasan and Ali bin Muhammad narrated to me, from Muhammad bin ‘Isa, from Yunus, from Mu‘awiyah, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who stood to pray an obligatory prayer (‘al-maktubah’), then became confused and thought it was a recommended prayer (‘nafilah’), or he stood to pray a ‘nafilah’ and thought it was an obligatory prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: “It is according to what he began the prayer with.”

And from him, from Muhammad bin Nusayr, who said: Muhammad bin Isa narrated to us, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: And I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who led a group in prayer for ‘Asr, then remembered while he was praying with them that he had not yet prayed Dhuhr. Imam عليه السلام said: “Then he should count it as the Dhuhr which he had missed, and begin ‘Asr anew. As for the people, they have completed their prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from ‘Amr bin Uthman, from Ali bin Abdillah, from Abdillah bin Sinan, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, and also from Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Abu Ishaq, from ‘Amr bin Uthman, from Ibrahim bin Abdillah bin Sam, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: “A man has upon him such a great number of missed ‘nafilah’ prayers that he does not know what they are due to their amount, what should he do?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Then he should pray until he no longer knows how many he has prayed because of their abundance, and that way he will have fulfilled what was upon him.” I asked: “Suppose he left them and is not able to make them up due to being busy?” Imam عليه السلام said: “If he was busy (occupied) in the pursuit of livelihood that is necessary, or a need of a believing brother, then there is nothing upon him. But if he was busy (occupied) for worldly affairs and he occupied himself with them instead of prayer, then he must make them up, otherwise he will meet Allah سبحانه وتعالى having shown negligence, disrespect, and disregard for Sunnah of Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.” I asked: “If he is unable to make them up, is it acceptable for him to give charity?” He عليه السلام was silent for a while, then said: “Yes, let him give charity.” I asked: “And what amount of charity?” Imam عليه السلام said: “According to his ability, and the minimum is a ‘mudd’.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “A ‘mudd’ for every poor person in place of each prayer.” I asked: “And how many prayers would require a ‘mudd’ for each?” Imam عليه السلام said: “For every two rak’ahs of night prayer, and every two rak’ahs of daytime prayer.” I asked: “Suppose he is unable?” Imam عليه السلام said: “A ‘mudd’ for every four rak’ahs.” I asked: “Suppose he is still unable?” Imam عليه السلام said: “A ‘mudd’ for the night prayer and a ‘mudd’ for the daytime prayer. And the prayer is better, the prayer is better, the prayer is better.”

Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Marazim, who said: Isma‘il bin Jabir asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, saying: "May Allah سبحانه وتعالى set you right, I have many missed ‘nafilah’ prayers, what should I do?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Make them up (as qadha)." I asked: "They are more than that (too many)." Imam عليه السلام said: "Make them up." I said: "I cannot count them." Imam عليه السلام said: "Approximate (estimate)." Marazim said: I was ill for four months and did not perform ‘nafilah’ prayers during that time, so I asked (Imam عليه السلام: "May Allah سبحانه وتعالى set you right or may I be your ransom, I was ill for four months and did not perform any ‘nafilah’ prayers during that time." Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no ‘qadha’ upon you. The sick is not like the healthy. Whatever overcomes one by Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى will, then Allah سبحانه وتعالى is more entitled to excuse him in it."

What was narrated by al-Husayn bin Sa’id, from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr, from ‘Umar bin Udhayna, from Zurarah, who said: He (Zurarah) heard Abu Ja’far عليه السلام say: ‘"Turning (the head) invalidates the prayer when it is with the whole (of the body)."‘

And from him, from Safwan, from al-’Alaʾ, from Muhammad bin Muslim, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام: "May a man turn his head during his prayer?" Imam عليه السلام said: "No, and he should not crack his fingers either."

Muhammad bin Ya‘qub, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Zurarah: Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “When you face the qiblah with your face, do not turn your face away from the qiblah, lest your prayer become invalid. For indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted said to His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, peace be upon him, regarding the obligatory prayer: ‘So turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your faces toward it’ (Surah Baqarah 2:144 & 2:150). And lower your gaze, and do not raise it to the sky, but rather let it be aligned with your face at the place of your prostration."

And from him, from Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who experiences nosebleed (‘ru’af’) while in prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "If he is able to find water near him, whether to his right, left, or in front of him, while still facing the qiblah, then let him wash it off and continue with the remainder of his prayer. But if he is not able to find water without turning his face away or speaking, then his prayer is invalidated."

As for what was narrated by Sa’d bin Abdillah, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Ja’far bin Bashir, from Hammad bin Uthman, from Abd al-Hamid, from Abd al-Malik, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about turning the head in prayer, does it invalidate the prayer? Imam عليه السلام said: "No, but I do not like it to be done."

Al-Husayn bin Sa’id, from Muhammad bin al-Fudayl, from Abu al-Sabbah al-Kinani, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who performed ablution but forgot to wipe over his head until he had already stood for prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: ‘"Then he should leave (the prayer), wipe over his head, and repeat the prayer."‘

And from him, from Uthman, from Sama’ah: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: ‘"Whoever forgets to wipe his head or his feet, or forgets any part of the ablution that Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted has mentioned in the Qur’an, then it is obligatory upon him to repeat the ablution and the prayer."‘

And from him, from Muhammad bin Sinan, from Ibn Muskan, from Abu Basir: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (was asked) regarding a man who forgot to wipe over his head and remembered while he was in prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "If he is certain of that, then he should leave the prayer, wipe over his head and his feet, and then start the prayer anew. But if he is uncertain and does not know whether he wiped or not, then let him take from his beard if it is moist and wipe with it over his head; and if there is water in front of him, let him take from it and wipe his head with it."

And from him, from Uthman, from Ibn Muskan, from Malik bin A’yan: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "Whoever forgets to wipe his head, then remembers that he did not wipe his head, if there is moisture in his beard, then let him take from it and wipe his head. But if there is no moisture in his beard, then he should leave (his prayer) and repeat the ablution."

As for what was narrated by Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Ja’far bin Bashir, from Hammad bin Uthman, from ‘Ammar bin Musa, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام say: "If a man were to forget to perform istinjaʾ (cleansing) after defecation until he prayed, he does not have to repeat the prayer."

Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Yahya from al-’Amraki from Ali bin Ja’far from his brother (Imam) Musa bin Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon them, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who remembered, while he was in his prayer, that he had not performed ‘istinjaʾ’ after relieving himself. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should leave, perform ‘istinja’ after relieving himself, and repeat the prayer."

Muhammad bin Ya’qub, from Muhammad bin Yahya, from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abdillah, from Abdillah bin Jabalah, from Sayf, from Maymun al-Sayqal, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said: I said to Him عليه السلام: “A man experienced janabah (ritual impurity) during the night, so he performed ghusl, and in the morning he looked and saw janabah (impurity) on his clothing.” Imam عليه السلام said: "Praise be to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who has not left anything without assigning a rule for it. If, when he stood for prayer, he looked and did not see anything, then there is no repetition (of prayer) required of him. But if, when he stood, he did not look, then he must repeat the prayer."

As for what was narrated by Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Saffar, from Muhammad bin al-Husayn, from Wahb bin Hafs, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said: I asked Him عليه السلام about a man who prayed while there was urine or janabah (impurity) on his garment. Imam عليه السلام said: "Whether he knew of it or not, if he comes to know of it, then he must repeat the prayer."