I caught up with the imam in the second rak'ah of the Zuhr prayer, and after the imam's taslim, instead of standing up to perform the first rak'ah that I had missed, I forgot and said the taslim along with the imam.

The questioner : The questioner, M.A. Musa from Riyadh, says: O esteemed Shaykh, I caught up with the imam in the second rak'ah of the Zuhr prayer, and after the imam's taslim, instead of standing up to perform the first rak'ah that I had missed, I forgot and said the taslim along with the imam. However, I immediately remembered that I had a rak'ah remaining and that it was obligatory to perform it. So I stood up, performed the rak'ah, sat down for the tashahhud, then performed the prostration for forgetfulness, and then said the taslim. Question: Is my action correct?

The Shaykh : As for the prayer, it is valid. As for the action, it is better that the prostration for forgetfulness be performed after the taslim, because it is established in the two Sahihs and others from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions in one of the two evening prayers, either Zuhr or 'Asr, and he said the taslim after two rak'ahs. He was informed of this, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came forward and prayed the remaining two rak'ahs, then said the taslim, then prostrated twice, and then said the taslim. This indicates that if one says the taslim before completing his prayer and then remembers shortly thereafter and completes it, it is obligatory for him to perform the prostration for forgetfulness, and its place is after the taslim. However, if a long interval has passed and he does not remember until after a long time, it is obligatory for him to repeat the prayer from the beginning, and he does not prostrate for forgetfulness. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.