The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Salah

Rulings of Prayer Errors and Corrections

Test your knowledge on handling mistakes during Islamic prayer.

7 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What is the ruling if part of the ‘awrah is accidentally uncovered during prayer?

  • The prayer is not invalidated if only a little is uncovered or it is covered immediately. (correct answer)
  • The prayer is invalidated in every accidental case.
  • The person must repeat wudu.
  • The person should continue without covering it.

Why

Deliberately uncovering the ‘awrah invalidates prayer. But if the uncovering happens by accident and only a little is exposed, or if a larger amount is covered immediately, the prayer remains valid.

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2. What should someone do if they forget an obligatory part of prayer, such as the first tashahhud?

  • Do the prostration of forgetfulness before the salam. (correct answer)
  • Repeat the entire prayer in every case.
  • Do nothing because all forgotten parts are excused.
  • Make up the missed words after the prayer is over.

Why

If an obligatory part of prayer is deliberately omitted, the prayer is invalid. If it is forgotten, the prayer remains valid but the person must do sujud al-sahw before the salam. If the person omitted it because they were unaware of the ruling, they are excused.

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3. When should sujud al-sahw be done if someone accidentally adds something extra to the prayer?

  • After the salam. (correct answer)
  • Before the opening takbir.
  • Immediately after the mistake, no matter where they are.
  • During the tashahhud instead of prostrating.

Why

The most correct view mentioned is that if someone adds something extra by mistake, sujud al-sahw is done after the salam. If they omit something, it is done before the salam. If they are unsure, the ruling depends on whether one possibility seems more likely.

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4. What should someone do if they accidentally say salam before completing the prayer and remember shortly afterward?

  • Return to the prayer, complete what remains, then do sujud al-sahw. (correct answer)
  • Start a new obligatory prayer immediately in every case.
  • Treat the incomplete prayer as voluntary.
  • Wait until the next prayer time and make it up then.

Why

If someone says salam too early by mistake and remembers shortly afterward, they should complete the remaining rak‘ahs and then do sujud al-sahw. If they had started a nafl prayer, they should stop it and return to the obligatory prayer if only a short time has passed.

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5. If someone forgets the first tashahhud but remembers before standing fully, what should they do?

  • Sit back down, recite the tashahhud, complete the prayer, then do sujud al-sahw. (correct answer)
  • Continue standing and never do sujud al-sahw.
  • Repeat the prayer immediately from the beginning.
  • Say the tashahhud while standing.

Why

If the person remembers after starting to rise but before standing fully, they should sit down and recite the tashahhud. If they remember only after standing fully, they should not sit back down; they continue and do sujud al-sahw.

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6. If someone thinks they missed part of al-Fatihah and repeats it before bowing, do they have to do sujud al-sahw?

  • No, sujud al-sahw is not required for that. (correct answer)
  • Yes, because repeating al-Fatihah always invalidates the prayer.
  • Yes, but only after repeating the entire prayer.
  • Only if they are praying behind an imam.

Why

If a person thinks they omitted part of al-Fatihah and repeats it before bowing, they do not have to do sujud al-sahw. If they already finished al-Fatihah and only later doubt whether they missed a verse, they should not pay attention to that uncertainty. If the uncertainty occurs before completing al-Fatihah, they should restart it from the beginning.

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7. What is the ruling if someone forgets to say “Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah” when rising from bowing?

  • The prayer is valid, and sujud al-sahw should be done if remembered before a long time passes. (correct answer)
  • The prayer is invalid in every case.
  • The prayer is valid, and nothing is ever required.
  • The person must repeat wudu and pray again.

Why

“Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah” is an obligatory part of prayer according to the correct view cited. If it is omitted deliberately, that is not allowed. If it is omitted by forgetfulness or ignorance, the prayer remains valid, but sujud al-sahw should be done if the person remembers or learns the ruling before a long time has passed.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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