The imam erred in a four-rak'ah prayer and stood up for a fifth rak'ah after the fourth rak'ah of the obligatory prayer, and the ma'mumin reminded him after he had stood up straight; what should be done?

The questioner : An imam erred in a four-rak'ah prayer and stood up for a fifth rak'ah after the fourth rak'ah of the obligatory prayer, and the ma'mumin reminded him after he had stood up straight; what should he do, and what should the ma'mumin do?

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the one praying, if he stands up for an extra rak'ah, such as the fifth in a four-rak'ah prayer, the third in a two-rak'ah prayer, or the fourth in a three-rak'ah prayer, to return as soon as he remembers or is reminded. It is not permissible for him to proceed. For example, in this issue, when the imam was reminded as he stood up for the fifth rak'ah, he must return, then recite the final tashahhud, then perform the taslim, then prostrate twice for forgetfulness, and then perform the taslim. However, sometimes the imam stands up for a fifth rak'ah, and the ma'mumin recite tasbih, but he proceeds on the basis that he forgot the al-Fatihah in one of the rak'ahs. It is known that if he forgets the al-Fatihah in one of the rak'ahs, the second rak'ah takes the place of the first, then the third takes the place of the second, and then the fourth takes the place of the third. In this case, he must perform a rak'ah. Accordingly, we say that the ma'mumin sit and wait for the imam, then perform the taslim with him. In this situation, they have the option to separate and perform the taslim themselves.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.