Inability to memorize the opening supplication
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Q 7: What is the ruling for one who knows the opening supplication in his prayer, but is unable to memorize it due to much forgetfulness? Therefore, if he remembers it during the prayer, he says it, and if he does not remember it, he begins by reciting Surat al-Fatihah after the takbir of ihram, and this is due to his forgetfulness and inability to articulate it, not negligence. Is his prayer valid without the opening supplication? The same applies to the first tashahhud; what is the ruling for one who recites it, but it is not exactly like the form narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? There may be some slight difference. Is this correct? Also, regarding the salutation upon the Prophet after the tashahhud, is it valid for one who is unable to memorize the salutation narrated from the Prophet, which his Companions knew, to say: “O Allah, send blessings and peace upon Muhammad” and be content with that? Also, in the sitting between the two prostrations, is it permissible to supplicate with any supplication and not adhere to what is narrated for that place? And what is the ruling for one who spreads both his feet and sits on them in prayer, and does not sit in the iftirash position in the places of iftirash, nor in the tawruk position in the places of tawruk, because he is unable to perform iftirash or
tawruk?
A 7: First: It is obligatory for every Muslim to learn what is necessary for the validity of his prayer, from the pillars, obligations, and conditions. It is also recommended for him to learn the complements of the prayer from the recommended matters, such as the opening supplication, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 6008 narrated by al-Bukhari, but if one is unable to memorize some of the dhikr of the prayer due to old age or illiteracy, his prayer is valid, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:286] , and His saying: [At-Taghabun 64:16] , and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 7288 But it is obligatory for the Muslim to strive to memorize the obligatory matters in the prayer, and to repeat them until he masters them, even if it takes time. Second: It is obligatory for the one praying to adhere to the supplications narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) between the two prostrations, saying: “My Lord, forgive me” and repeating that, or saying: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, heal me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me.” Third: The manner of sitting in prayer, such as iftirash or tawruk, all of this is a sunnah in its established place from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). If the one praying is unable to
do it due to illness, old age, or otherwise, there is no blame on him, and his prayer is valid. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
tawruk?
A 7: First: It is obligatory for every Muslim to learn what is necessary for the validity of his prayer, from the pillars, obligations, and conditions. It is also recommended for him to learn the complements of the prayer from the recommended matters, such as the opening supplication, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
offer your prayers in the way you saw me offering my prayers
صلوا كما رأيتموني أصليAllah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلا وُسْعَهَاSo fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAnd if I order you to do something, then do of it as much as you can.
إذا أمرتكم بأمر فأتوا منه ما استطعتمdo it due to illness, old age, or otherwise, there is no blame on him, and his prayer is valid. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.