The ruling on the prostration for forgetfulness if the imam stands up for the third unit in the tarawih prayer

The questioner : The questioner says: If an imam in the tarawih prayer forgets and stands up for a third unit, and he is alerted but does not notice, does he suffice with three units or does he perform a fourth?

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the imam, if he forgets in the night prayer and stands up for a third unit, that he return, recite the tashahhud, say the taslim, and perform the prostration for forgetfulness after the taslim. The evidence for this is the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so he made them two by two. So if he stands up for the third, we say: return. Even if he recites the Qur'an, we say: return. Then recite the tashahhud, say the taslim, and then perform the prostration for forgetfulness after the taslim. Imam Ahmad said: If he stands up for a third unit in the night prayer, it is as if he stood up for a third unit in the Fajr prayer. What does that mean? It means that returning is obligatory. If he does not do so, the prayer is invalid. Yes.