Should I Perform the Prostrations of Forgetfulness for Forgetting a Surah in Prayer?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalamu ‘alaykum,

Should I perform the prostrations of forgetfulness for starting a surah in prayer, forgetting it and reciting another surah instead?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

No, you do not need to perform prostrations of forgetfulness (sajda al-sahw) for forgetting the chapter (surah) you were reciting because those prostrations are only required in the case of forgetfully omitting a necessary (wajib) act.

However, if you forget the specific chapter in future, and you have recited three verses or more, you can simply go into the bowing (ruku`) and continue your prayer. You aren’t obligated to complete an entire chapter in the cycle (rak`at).

Consider taking the following free class at SeekersHub: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Basic Hanafi Jurisprudence (STEP)

And Allah alone knows best.

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Photo: Sunil Krishnan