In the mercy and wisdom of Islam, allowances are made for human error, especially in acts of worship. Sujood As-Sahw, or the prostration of forgetfulness, is one such beautiful concession in Salah (prayer) to help correct certain unintentional mistakes without needing to repeat the entire prayer.

What Is Sujood As-Sahw?

Sujood As-Sahw consists of two additional prostrations performed to compensate for mistakes made during Salah. It reflects both the flexibility and the importance of prayer in Islam, allowing errors to be addressed while preserving the prayer’s validity.

When Is Sujood As-Sahw Required?

There are generally three categories of mistakes in prayer that require Sujood As-Sahw:

1. Forgetting an Action (Omission)

Example: Forgetting to perform a Ruku‘ (bowing) or sitting between two sujood (prostrations).

• If a pillar of prayer is missed, the unit must be repeated.

• If a wajib (obligatory act) is forgotten (like saying Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in Ruku‘), Sujood As-Sahw is performed at the end.

2. Adding an Extra Action

Example: Making an extra sujood or rising for an additional unit.

• If done unintentionally, Sujood As-Sahw is performed to compensate.

• If done deliberately, it invalidates the prayer.

3. Doubt in Prayer

Example: Unsure whether you prayed three or four rak‘ahs in Dhuhr.

• If you're unsure, go with what you’re most confident about.

• If you truly can’t recall, assume the lesser number and complete your prayer—then perform Sujood As-Sahw.

How to Perform Sujood As-Sahw

The method can vary slightly based on the school of thought, but the common method is:

1. Complete your prayer until the final Tashahhud.

2. Before saying Salam, perform two prostrations just as in regular sujood, saying:

   • Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la (at least once in each).

3. Return to the sitting position and complete the Tashahhud again (if needed).

4. End the prayer by saying Salam to the right and then to the left.

Note: Some scholars also allow performing Sujood As-Sahw after the Salam if the error is realized at that point.

Key Points to Remember

• Sujood As-Sahw is not required for minor, unintentional lapses in recitation that don’t alter the meaning.

• It is a sign of Allah’s mercy—not a punishment.

• Knowing the rulings helps preserve both the humility and correctness of Salah.

Conclusion

Mistakes in prayer are natural, and Islam provides practical ways to deal with them through Sujood As-Sahw. It allows us to maintain the sanctity of Salah while also acknowledging human imperfection. Every Muslim should learn this practice to ensure their prayer remains valid and complete.