The Book of Prayer

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ التَّسْبِيحِ فَقَالَ مَا عَلِمْتُ شَيْئاً مَوْقُوفاً[3] غَيْرَ تَسْبِيحِ فَاطِمَةَ ص وَ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ بَعْدَ الْغَدَاةِ تَقُولُ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌ وَحْدَهُ‌ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ‌ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ* وَ يُمِيتُ وَ يُحْيِي بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَ هُوَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ* وَ لَكِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ يُسَبِّحُ مَا شَاءَ تَطَوُّعاً.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about Tasbih. The Imam replied, T do not know of any Tasbih in a prescribed manner except Tasbih of Fatimah al-Zahra’, ‘Alayha al-Salam, and to say ten times after the morning, “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah alone Who has no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom and He deserves

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَدِينُكَ بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَةِ رَسُولِكَ وَ وَلَايَةِ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع مِنْ أَوَّلِهِمْ إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ وَ تُسَمِّيهِمْ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَدِينُكَ بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ الرِّضَا بِمَا فَضَّلْتَهُمْ بِهِ غَيْرَ مُتَكَبِّرٍ وَ لَا مُسْتَكْبِرٍ عَلَى مَعْنَى مَا أَنْزَلْتَ فِي كِتَابِكَ

‘When you complete your Salah (prayer) say this. “O Lord, I follow Your religion in obedience to You under Your guardianship, the guardianship of Your messenger and the guardianship of ’A’immah, the first to the last Imam. . .” You should mention the name of each Imam. Then say, “O Lord, I follow Your religion in obedi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَدَعْ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ- أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي بِاللَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الصَّمَدِ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا- وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Do not go away before saying the following after every Salah (prayer). “I seek protection for myself and whatever my Lord has given me from Allah, the only One self-sufficient, who does not have any children, nor Himself is anyone’s child and there is no one like Him.” (Chapter

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنْ رَأَيْتَ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَوَاتِي يَجْمَعُ اللَّهُ لِي بِهِ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَكَتَبَ ع تَقُولُ أَعُوذُ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ عِزَّتِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُرَامُ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ الَّتِي لَا يَمْتَنِعُ مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ شَرِّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ الْأَوْجَاعِ كُلِّهَا.

28. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar who has said the following: “Muhammad ibn Ibrahim wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘My master, if you deem it proper, teach me a prayer that I can read after every Salah (prayer) so Allah will grant me good, both in this and the next life.’ The I

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى الْفَرِيضَةَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ وَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ السَّجْدَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ مِنَ الرَّكْعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ أَحْدَثَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا صَلَاتُهُ فَقَدْ مَضَتْ وَ بَقِيَ التَّشَهُّدُ وَ إِنَّمَا التَّشَهُّدُ سُنَّةٌ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لْيَعُدْ إِلَى مَجْلِسِهِ أَوْ مَكَانٍ نَظِيفٍ فَيَتَشَهَّدْ.[1]

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs obligatory Salah (prayer) but when he raises his head from the second Sajdah (prostration) of the fourth Rak’at his Wudu’ becomes invalid. He (the Imam) said, ’His Salah (prayer) is ended; what remains is Tashahhud (testimonies of belief). Tashahhud (testimo

يَنْصَرِفُ فَيَتَوَضَّأُ فَإِنْ شَاءَ رَجَعَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ فَفِي بَيْتِهِ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ حَيْثُ شَاءَ يَقْعُدُ فَيَتَشَهَّدُ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْحَدَثُ بَعْدَ التَّشَهُّدِ فَقَدْ مَضَتْ صَلَاتُهُ.

“Wudu’ of a man may become invalid after he raises his head from the last Sajdah (prostration) before Tashahhud (testimonies of belief). Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ’He moves to take Wudu’ and if he wants to return to Masjid or if he wants in his house, sits down to say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) and the phrase

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْسَى تَكْبِيرَةَ الِافْتِتَاحِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about one who forgets the opening Takbir (Allah is great beyond description). He (the Imam) said, ‘He says it again.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي فَلَمْ يَفْتَتِحْ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ هَلْ تُجْزِئُهُ تَكْبِيرَةُ الرُّكُوعِ قَالَ لَا بَلْ يُعِيدُ صَلَاتَهُ إِذَا حَفِظَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يُكَبِّرْ.

“About a man who performs Salah (prayer) but forgets to say the opening Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) if Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) for Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) is sufficient. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not sufficient. He performs Salah (prayer) again when he finds ou

الْإِمَامُ يَحْمِلُ أَوْهَامَ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ إِلَّا تَكْبِيرَةَ الِافْتِتَاحِ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.), has said, ‘An Imam carries and sustains the conjectures of those who are behind him except the opening Takbir (Allah is great beyond description).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَرَضَ الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ وَ الْقِرَاءَةُ سُنَّةٌ فَمَنْ تَرَكَ الْقِرَاءَةَ مُتَعَمِّداً أَعَادَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ مَنْ نَسِيَ الْقِرَاءَةَ فَقَدْ تَمَّتْ صَلَاتُهُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ’Allah has made Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sujud (prostrations) obligatory. Recitation is Sunnah. Whoever omits recitation willfully performs Salah (prayer) again. Whoever forgets recitation his Salah (prayer) is complete and he is not obligated for anythin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ أُمَّ الْقُرْآنِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَرْكَعْ فَلْيُعِدْ أُمَّ الْقُرْآنِ.

from who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who forgets ‘Umm al-Quran (al- Fatihah). He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has not yet reached Ruku‘ position, he recites it again.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي صَلَّيْتُ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ فَنَسِيتُ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ فِي صَلَاتِي كُلِّهَا فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ قَدْ أَتْمَمْتَ الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ قَدْ تَمَّتْ صَلَاتُكَ إِذَا كَانَ نِسْيَاناً.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I performed the obligatory Salah (prayer) but forgot the recitation in all of my Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) asked, ‘Did you complete Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sujud (prostrations)?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I did so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Your Salah (prayer) is complete i

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشُكُّ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ لَا يَدْرِي رَكَعَ أَمْ لَمْ يَرْكَعْ قَالَ يَرْكَعُ وَ يَسْجُدُ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who in a standing position doubts and does not know if he has performed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) or not. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs Ruku‘ and Sajdah (prostration).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ حَتَّى يَسْجُدَ وَ يَقُومَ قَالَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who forgets performing Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) until he performs Sajdah (prostration) and stands up. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs Salah (prayer) again.’”

إِذَا اسْتَيْقَنَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ زَادَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ رَكْعَةً[3] لَمْ يَعْتَدَّ بِهَا وَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الصَّلَاةَ اسْتِقْبَالًا إِذَا كَانَ قَدِ اسْتَيْقَنَ يَقِيناً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has sad, ‘If one is certain that he has increased one Rak‘at in an obligatory Salah (prayer) he disregards it and performs that Salah (prayer) again if he has certainty.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ سَهَا فَلَمْ يَدْرِ سَجْدَةً سَجَدَ أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ قَالَ يَسْجُدُ أُخْرَى وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ بَعْدَ انْقِضَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ سَجْدَتَا السَّهْوِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a man who becomes confused and does not know if he has done one or two Sajdah (prostrations). He (the Imam) said, ’He performs another Sajdah (prostration) and after completion of Salah (prayer) two Sajdah (prostration) because of mistake is not necessary.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ شَكَّ فَلَمْ يَدْرِ سَجْدَةً سَجَدَ أَمْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ قَالَ يَسْجُدُ حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِنَ أَنَّهُمَا سَجْدَتَانِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who doubts and does not know if he has performed one or two Sajdah (prostrations). He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs Sajdah (prostration) to ascertain that it is two Sajdah (prostrations).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ وَ هُوَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ وَ هُوَ رَاكِعٌ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَ سَجْدَةً مِنَ الْأُولَى فَقَالَ كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ص يَقُولُ إِذَا تَرَكْتَ السَّجْدَةَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى وَ لَمْ تَدْرِ وَاحِدَةً أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ اسْتَقْبَلْتَ الصَّلَاةَ حَتَّى يَصِحَّ لَكَ أَنَّهُمَا اثْنَتَانِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who performs one Rak’at of Salah (prayer), then he remembers in the second Rak’at in Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees) position that he has omitted one Sajdah (prostration) of the first Rak’at. He said, ‘Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), would say that if you omit Sajdah (prostratio

فِي رَجُلٍ شُبِّهَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَمْ يَدْرِ وَاحِدَةً سَجَدَ أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ قَالَ فَلْيَسْجُدْ أُخْرَى.

“About a man who doubts and does not know if he has performed one or two Sajdah (prostrations), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He performs one more Sajdah (prostration).”’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا شَكَكْتَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ فَأَعِدْ.

‘If you doubt in the first two Rak‘at, perform your Salah (prayer) again.”’

قَالَ: إِذَا سَهَا الرَّجُلُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ وَ الْعَتَمَةِ وَ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَ وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصَّلَاةَ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one doubts in the first two Rak‘at of al-Dhuhr, al-‘Asr and al-‘Atmah and does not know he has performed one or two, he must perform his Salah (prayer) again.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ لَا يَدْرِي وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَ ثِنْتَيْنِ صَلَّى أَمْ ثَلَاثاً فَقَالَ إِنْ دَخَلَهُ الشَّكُّ بَعْدَ دُخُولِهِ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ مَضَى فِي الثَّالِثَةِ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الْأُخْرَى وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُسَلِّمُ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ فِي ثِنْتَيْنِ هُوَ أَمْ فِي أَرْبَعٍ قَالَ يُسَلِّمُ وَ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُم

“I once said to one of the two Imam (a.s.), ‘There is a man who does not know if he has performed one or two. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs his Salah (prayer) again.’ I then asked, ‘There is a man who does not know if he has performed two or three. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he doubts after entering the third Rak‘at, h

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ الْإِعَادَةُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ وَ السَّهْوُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), once said to me, ‘In the first two Rak‘at it is performing again and confusion in the second two Rak‘at (has remedies).”’

إِذَا شَكَكْتَ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ فَأَعِدْ وَ إِذَا شَكَكْتَ فِي الْفَجْرِ فَأَعِدْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you doubt in al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) perform it again. If you doubt in the morning Salah (prayer) perform it again.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي وَ لَا يَدْرِي وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى أَمْ ثِنْتَيْنِ قَالَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ‌[1] حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِنَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ أَتَمَّ وَ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ وَ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فِي السَّفَرِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) but does not know if he has performed one or two (Rak‘at). He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs it again to ascertain that he has completed it and so also is the case with Friday, al-Maghrib and Salah (prayer) on a journey.’”

صَلَّيْتُ بِأَصْحَابِيَ الْمَغْرِبَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ صَلَّيْتُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ سَلَّمْتُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِنَّمَا صَلَّيْتَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَأَعَدْتُ فَأَخْبَرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ أَعَدْتَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَضَحِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يُجْزِئُكَ أَنْ تَقُومَ فَتَرْكَعَ رَكْعَةً.

‘You performed only two Rak‘at.’ I performed it again. I then informed abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it and he said, ‘Perhaps you performed it again.’ I said, ‘Yes, I did so.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) smiled and said, ‘You only had to stand up and perform one Rak‘at.’”

لَيْسَ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الْفَجْرِ سَهْوٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There is no confusion (acceptable) in al-Maghrib and morning Salah (prayer).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى فَلَمْ يَدْرِ أَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ هُوَ أَمْ فِي الرَّابِعَةِ قَالَ فَمَا ذَهَبَ وَهْمُهُ إِلَيْهِ إِنْ رَأَى أَنَّهُ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ وَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِنَ الرَّابِعَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ سَلَّمَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ نَفْسِهِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ‌[2].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) but does not know if he is in the third or fourth Rak‘at. He (the Imam) said, ‘It depends on what his guessing indicates. If he according to his guess thinks it is the third or fourth he accepts it along with his soul, then performs two Rak‘at

قَالَ: إِنِ اسْتَوَى وَهْمُهُ فِي الثَّلَاثِ وَ الْأَرْبَعِ سَلَّمَ وَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ يَقْصِدُ فِي التَّشَهُّدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one’s guess settles on his performing three or four Rak‘at, he says the phrase of offering greeting of peace, then performs two Rak‘at and four Sujud (prostrations) with al-Fatihah al-Kitab in a sitting position and says Tashahhud (testimonies of belief).”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ لَمْ‌ يَدْرِ فِي أَرْبَعٍ هُوَ أَمْ فِي ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ قَدْ أَحْرَزَ الثِّنْتَيْنِ قَالَ يَرْكَعُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ وَ يَتَشَهَّدُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يَدْرِ فِي ثَلَاثٍ هُوَ أَوْ فِي أَرْبَعٍ وَ قَدْ أَحْرَزَ الثَّلَاثَ قَامَ فَأَضَافَ إِلَيْهَا أُخْرَى وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا يَنْقُضُ الْيَقِينَ بِالشَّكِّ وَ لَا يُدْخِ

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who performs Salah (prayer) but does not know if he is in the second or fourth Rak‘at but he knows that he has performed two Rak‘at. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs two Rak‘at and four Sujud (prostrations). He does it in a standing position with al-Fati

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ لَا يَدْرِي رَكْعَتَيْنِ صَلَّى أَمْ أَرْبَعاً قَالَ يَتَشَهَّدُ وَ يُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ثُمَّ يَتَشَهَّدُ وَ يُسَلِّمُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ صَلَّى أَرْبَعاً كَانَتْ هَاتَانِ نَافِلَةً وَ إِنْ كَانَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ هَاتَانِ تَمَامَ الْأَرْبَعِ وَ إِنْ تَكَلَّمَ فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَج

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who does not know if he has performed two Rak‘at or four. He (the Imam) said, ‘He says Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) and the phrase of offering greeting of peace, then stands up to perform two Rak‘at and four Sujud (prostrations) in which he reads al-Fatihah al-Kitab

إِنَّمَا السَّهْوُ مَا بَيْنَ الثَّلَاثِ وَ الْأَرْبَعِ- وَ فِي الِاثْنَتَيْنِ وَ فِي الْأَرْبَعِ بِتِلْكَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ وَ مَنْ سَهَا وَ لَمْ يَدْرِ ثَلَاثاً صَلَّى أَمْ أَرْبَعاً وَ اعْتَدَلَ شَكُّهُ قَالَ يَقُومُ فَيُتِمُّ ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ فَيَتَشَهَّدُ وَ يُسَلِّمُ وَ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرُ وَهْمِهِ إِلَى الْأَرْبَعِ تَشَهَّدَ وَ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ فَاتِح

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘The case of doubt whether it is three or four or if it is two or four is of the same position. If one doubts and does not know if he has performed three or four and his doubt about both sides are equal’, he (the Imam) said, ‘Such person stands up and completes (Salah (prayer)). He then

يَقُومُ‌[2] فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ قِيَامٍ وَ يُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ جُلُوسٍ وَ يُسَلِّمُ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ كَانَتِ الرَّكْعَتَانِ نَافِلَةً وَ إِلَّا تَمَّتِ الْأَرْبَعُ.

“Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), about the case of one who performs Salah (prayer) and doubts if he has prayed two, three, or four Rak‘ah, has said, ‘ He stands up and performs two Rak’ah in a standing position. He then says the phrase of offering greeting of peace, then performs two Rak’ah in a sitting position, and says the ph

إِذَا لَمْ تَدْرِ ثَلَاثاً صَلَّيْتَ أَوْ أَرْبَعاً وَ وَقَعَ رَأْيُكَ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِ فَابْنِ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِ وَ إِنْ وَقَعَ رَأْيُكَ عَلَى الْأَرْبَعِ فَسَلِّمْ وَ انْصَرِفْ وَ إِنِ اعْتَدَلَ وَهْمُكَ فَانْصَرِفْ وَ صَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَنْتَ جَالِسٌ.

“Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you do not know whether you have performed three or four Rak’ah and your thought settles on three, then consider it three. If your thought settles on four, say Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) and end Salah (prayer). If your guess is equal; end Salah (prayer), then p

إِذَا لَمْ تَدْرِ ثِنْتَيْنِ صَلَّيْتَ أَمْ أَرْبَعاً وَ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ وَهْمُكَ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ فَتَشَهَّدْ وَ سَلِّمْ ثُمَّ صَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ تَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدْ وَ سَلِّمْ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا صَلَّيْتَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتَا هَاتَانِ تَمَامَ الْأَرْبَعِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَلَّيْتَ أَرْبَعاً كَانَتَا هَاتَانِ نَافِلَةً وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي ثَلَاثاً صَلَّيْتَ

“Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), has said, ‘ You may not know whether you have performed two or four Rak’ah and your guess about one side is not greater than the other side. You must say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) and Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace), then perform two Rak’ah and four Sujud (prostrations).

فِي مَنْ لَا يَدْرِي أَ ثَلَاثاً صَلَّى أَمْ أَرْبَعاً وَ وَهْمُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ سَوَاءٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا اعْتَدَلَ الْوَهْمُ فِي الثَّلَاثِ وَ الْأَرْبَعِ فَهُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شَاءَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ وَ قَالَ فِي رَجُلٍ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَ ثِنْتَيْنِ صَلَّى أَمْ أَرْبَعاً وَ وَهْمُهُ يَذْهَبُ إِلَى الْأَرْبَعِ أَوْ إِلَى الرَّكْعَتَ

One may not know whether he has performed three or four and his guess about both sides is equal. (For such case) he (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) said, ‘If his guess is equal about three and four, he has the choice to perform one Rak’ah standing or two Rak’ah in a sitting position and four Sujud (prostrati

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا شَكَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلَمْ يَدْرِ زَادَ أَمْ نَقَصَ فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ وَ سَمَّاهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُرْغِمَتَيْنِ‌[2].

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one of you doubts in his Salah (prayer) and does not know if he has increased or decreased, he performs two Sajdah (prostration) while sitting.” The Messenger of Allah has called it humiliating (Satan).’”

إِذَا اسْتَيْقَنَ أَنَّهُ زَادَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ- لَمْ‌ يَعْتَدَّ بِهَا وَ اسْتَقْبَلَ صَلَاتَهُ اسْتِقْبَالًا إِذَا كَانَ قَدِ اسْتَيْقَنَ يَقِيناً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one of you is certain that he has increased something in his obligatory Salah (prayer) he does not depend on it and performs his Salah (prayer) again if he is certain of such increase.’”

إِذَا كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي أَرْبَعاً صَلَّيْتَ أَوْ خَمْساً فَاسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيِ السَّهْوِ بَعْدَ تَسْلِيمِكَ ثُمَّ سَلِّمْ بَعْدَهُمَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you do not know whether you have performed four or five; then perform two Sujud (prostrations) because of mistake after Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) and after the two Sujud (prostrations), say Salam.’”

قَالَ‌[1]: مَنْ حَفِظَ سَهْوَهُ‌[2] وَ أَتَمَّهُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ سَجْدَتَا السَّهْوِ إِنَّمَا السَّهْوُ عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ يَدْرِ زَادَ أَمْ نَقَصَ مِنْهَا.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one knows the kind of mistake he has made and completes it then Sajdah (prostration) for mistake is not necessary for him. Sajdah (prostration) for mistake is upon one who does not know if he has increased or decreased something in Salah (prayer).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ زَادَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ الْإِعَادَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one increases something in his Salah (prayer) he performs it again.’”

إِذَا لَمْ تَدْرِ خَمْساً صَلَّيْتَ أَمْ أَرْبَعاً فَاسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيِ السَّهْوِ بَعْدَ تَسْلِيمِكَ وَ أَنْتَ جَالِسٌ ثُمَّ سَلِّمْ بَعْدَهُمَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you do not know whether you have performed five Rak‘at or four, perform two Sajdah (prostration) because of mistake after Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in a sitting position and thereafter say Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ حَفِظَ سَهْوَهُ فَأَتَمَّهُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ سَجْدَتَا السَّهْوِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص صَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ الظُّهْرَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَهَا فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ذُو الشِّمَالَيْنِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ نَزَلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا صَلَّيْتَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَ تَقُولُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِ قَالُوا نَعَمْ فَقَامَ ص فَأَت

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one knows the kind of mistake he has made, he completes it, and Sajdah (prostration) for mistake is not necessary for him. The Messenger of

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ ثُمَّ يَنْسَى فَيَقُومُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ بَيْنَهُمَا قَالَ فَلْيَجْلِسْ مَا لَمْ يَرْكَعْ وَ قَدْ تَمَّتْ صَلَاتُهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ حَتَّى يَرْكَعَ فَلْيَمْضِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَإِذَا سَلَّمَ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who performs two Rak‘at obligatory, then forgets and stands up before sitting between them, has said, ‘He sits down until he has not assumed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). His Salah (prayer) is complete. If he does not remember until he assumes Ruku‘, he then continues and after Sal

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع أَ سَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ حَالُهُ حَالُهُ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُفَقِّهَهُمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), ‘Did the Messenger of Allah say Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in the first two Rak‘at while his status was as it was? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, willed to give them (people) proper understanding?”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَتَكَلَّمُ نَاسِياً فِي الصَّلَاةِ يَقُولُ أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَقَالَ يُتِمُّ صَلَاتَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ سَجْدَتَيْنِ فَقُلْتُ سَجْدَتَا السَّهْوِ قَبْلَ التَّسْلِيمِ هُمَا أَوْ بَعْدُ قَالَ بَعْدُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who speaks because of forgetfulness in Salah (prayer) saying, ‘Straighten your rows? He (the Imam) said, ‘He completes his Salah (prayer), then performs two Sajdah (prostration)? I then asked, ‘Are the two Sajdah (prostration) because of mistake after or before Salam (th

تَقُولُ فِي سَجْدَتَيِ السَّهْوِ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ الْحَلَبِيُّ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى يَقُولُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ

‘In the name of Allah and with Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’ Al-Halabiy has said that I heard him (the Imam) in another time say, ‘In the name of Allah and with Allah, O Holy prophet, Allah has granted you kindness and blessings.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ فِي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَسَأَلَهُ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ حَدَثَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا صَلَّيْتَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ أَ كَذَلِكَ يَا ذَا الْيَدَيْنِ وَ كَانَ يُدْعَى ذَا الشِّمَالَيْنِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَبَنَى عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ فَأَتَمَّ الصَّلَاةَ أَرْبَعاً وَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَن

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah once said Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in two Rak‘at and those behind him asked, “O Messenger of Allah, has something happened to Salah (prayer)?” The Messenger of Allah asked, “Why is that?” They replied, “You performed only two Rak‘at.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ وَ لَمْ تَتَشَهَّدْ فَذَكَرْتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ فَاقْعُدْ فَتَشَهَّدْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَذْكُرْ حَتَّى تَرْكَعَ فَامْضِ فِي صَلَاتِكَ كَمَا أَنْتَ فَإِذَا انْصَرَفْتَ سَجَدْتَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ لَا رُكُوعَ فِيهِمَا ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدِ التَّشَهُّدَ الَّذِي فَاتَكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you stand up in the first two Rak‘at without saying Tashahhud (testimonies of belief), then remember before Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), you must sit down. You must say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief). In case, if you do not remember until Ruku‘, then continue your Salah (

إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ أَوْ غَيْرِهِمَا وَ لَمْ تَتَشَهَّدْ فِيهِمَا فَذَكَرْتَ ذَلِكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ فَاجْلِسْ فَتَشَهَّدْ وَ قُمْ فَأَتِمَّ صَلَاتَكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ لَمْ تَذْكُرْ حَتَّى تَرْكَعَ فَامْضِ فِي صَلَاتِكَ حَتَّى تَفْرُغَ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَاسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيِ السَّهْوِ بَعْدَ التَّسْلِيمِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَتَكَلَّمَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has stated this Hadith. He (the Imam) has said, ‘You may stand up in the two Rak‘at of al-Dhuhr or others without saying Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) and remember it in the third Rak‘at before Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), you must sit down, then say Tashahhud (testimonies of belief),