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Fatwa CenterDoubting the number of Rak‘ahs during prayer and then being certain after the time is over
Question
I was performing the Subh (i.e. morning) prayer and, after completing the second Sajdah (i.e. prostration) of the first Rak‘ah (i.e. unit of prayer), I was doubtful whether it was the first or second Rak‘ah. Finally, I regarded it as the second Rak‘ah and then ended the prayer with Tasleem (saying As-Salamu ‘alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah). After sunrise, however, I remembered and became certain that it was the first Rak‘ah. Is my prayer valid or am I required to make it up?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
When one is doubtful regarding the number of Rak‘ahs he prayed during prayer, the Sharee‘ah ruling is that he has to consider the lesser number and then complete his prayer and prostrate again for the doubt. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "If one of you has doubts in his prayer and does not know how many (units) he prayed – whether it is three or four – then let him cast away the doubt and build upon what he is certain of. Then let him perform two Sajdahs ..." [Muslim]
Consequently, your action of considering the larger number is invalid, particularly because you became certain later. Meanwhile, scholars state that ending a prayer with Tasleem without being certain of its perfection nullifies prayer. Thus, you are required to make up for that prayer.
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