Do I Have to Repeat a Prayer in Which I Forgot to Perform the First Sitting and Then Returned to It? [Shafi’i]

Answered by Ustadh Sharif Rosen

Question: Assalam alaykum

When praying Isha I forgot to make first tashahuud. But I was closer to the sitting position so I returned to it and made the first tashahud. And then I performed the forgetfulness prostrations. Do I have to repeat the prayer?

Answer: BismilLahi Rahmanir Rahim

as-Salamu ‘alaykum.

Based on the situation you’ve described, your prayer was valid in the Shafi’i school, and you are not obligated to make it up.

In the Shafi’i madhab, the First Tashahhud is a recommended action [sunna]. And while it is also recommended to perform the Prostrations of Forgetfulness [Sujud al-Sahu] in the event one’s leaves the First Tasahhud, one is not required to do so.

Note, too, that Sujud al-Sahu is sunna in the Shafi’i school, yet only obligatory upon one following an Imam in their performance of Sujud al-Sahu.

[Rashid, Nur al-Mishka, 141; al-Zuhayli, al-Mu’tamid 1/336; al-‘Amoudi, ‘Umda al-Talibin, 105]

To help consolidate your knowledge around the rulings of ritual worship, please consider taking one of the free courses offered here on SeekersHub that detail these important issues.

And Allah knows best.

wa-Salamu ‘alaykum.

[Ustadh] Sharif Rosen

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Sharif Rosen is the Muslim Chaplain at Williams College (in the Northeastern United States) where he works to enhance campus life through spiritual and pastoral care; advocacy and coalition building; and deepening mutual understanding within and between communities.  His formative Islamic studies, past and ongoing, have been at the hands of scholars connected via unbroken transmission to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.  Most of Sharif’s training occurred in Amman, Jordan from 2008 – 2013, with a focus on creed, ritual law, spirituality, Quranic recitation and exegesis and through which he has received permission to transmit his Islamic learning.  Sharif has a B.A. in History from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and is now completing his graduate studies.  He completed the Classical Arabic program at the Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman, where he was also the Director of Student Life.  He currently serves as the Vice President for Educational Chaplaincy with the U.S.-based Association of Muslim Chaplains.