Is the Prayer Invalid If One Performs an Unnecessary Forgetfulness Prostration?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

After al-Fatiha, I forgot to say “Ameen.” I said it once I had gone into bowing (ruku) when I remembered, and then performed the forgetfulness prostration (sujud al-sahw) after the closing salam out of caution, unsure whether it was owed.

Did performing it when it was not owed invalidate my prayer? And are my past prayers in need of being repeated?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Your prayer was valid, and nothing needs to be repeated. Let your heart be at ease.

Saying “Ameen” after al-Fatiha is a confirmed practice (sunna) of the prayer, not a necessary act (wajib).

It sits in the list of the prayer’s sunnas alongside the opening praise and the seeking of refuge before recitation [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-Alaiyya].

Because it is a sunna and not a wajib, forgetting it owes you no forgetfulness prostration at all.

When the Forgetfulness Prostration Is Actually Owed

The forgetfulness prostration becomes necessary only when one forgetfully omits a necessary (wajib) act of the prayer — such as the first sitting or reciting al-Fatiha — and it repairs that shortfall.

Omitting a sunna brings no such repair and no shortfall to the prayer’s soundness. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah; Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-Alaiyya]

Performing the prostration where it was not owed is simply doing a little more than the moment called for.

The scholars are explicit that this does not invalidate the prayer; the prayer remains sound and valid. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

Since your prayers were never invalid, no making-up (qada) is due for any of them.

Gratitude, Clarity, and Confidence Are the Way of Light

Do not let misgivings (waswasa) take root. Allah Most High has placed no hardship upon us in religion [Quran 22:78]; He wills ease for us and does not will hardship for us [Quran 2:185].

We do not entertain doubt and second-guessing in our worship. Rather, we seek the knowledge, act upon it with clarity and gratitude, and stand before Allah with confidence.

That is the way of the Sunna, and it is the way of light. May Allah increase you and us in that light.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related SeekersGuidance Answers

How Do I Handle Misgivings in Salah and Prostration of Forgetfulness? — Sujud al-sahw repairs only a forgotten wajib act; it is not owed for doubts, faults, or repetitions.

Do Unnecessary Prostrations of Forgetfulness Invalidate the Prayer? — Unnecessary sujud al-sahw does not invalidate prayer; perform it only when a wajib act is forgotten.

Can the Forgetfulness Prostration Be Done in Every Prayer Just to Be Sure it is Valid? — Doing sujud al-sahw every prayer without need is a reprehensible innovation; it is only for a forgotten wajib.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School.” This book, published by White Thread Press in 2004, is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.