Is a person excused for forgetting in a prayer he performed without ablution?

The questioner : Is a person excused for forgetting such that he does not make up a prayer he performed without ablution?

The Shaykh : Yes, this question is important. I mean, if a person prayed and did not perform ablution because he forgot, is his prayer valid? The answer is that he is not sinful in it; he does not commit a sin if he prayed without ablution while forgetting, so there is no sin on him. But if he did it intentionally, what is the ruling? Is he sinful or not? He is sinful. In fact, some scholars said that he becomes a disbeliever if he prays without ablution intentionally, because he is mocking the verses of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). But if he prayed while forgetting, there is no sin on him, but he must make up the prayer; he must make up the prayer. The evidence is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Complete it, O brothers . The difference between doing what is forbidden and leaving what is obligatory is clear. Praying without ablution falls under the category of leaving what? The obligatory. And praying in a garment containing impurity while forgetting is valid because it falls under the category of doing what is forbidden. This is a subtle distinction known to the people of knowledge. If something falls under the category of doing what is forbidden, and a person does it while forgetting or ignorant, there is no sin on him and no making up required. But if it falls under the category of leaving what is obligatory, what is required of him? He must make it up. Did you see, if a person says the closing salam before completing his prayer while forgetting, is he required to complete the rest? One person said the salam from the third rak'ah of the 'Isha' prayer while forgetting, not intentionally. Is he required to perform the fourth rak'ah?
The student: Yes.

The Shaykh : By Allah... is he required? Well, even though he was forgetting, why? Because he left part of what is obligatory. And so, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed and became aware of this strange story , meaning it was made two rak'ahs, because in the time of legislation it is possible to shorten, so he shortened the prayer . There were two men in the group who were the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and they were . The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had a great awe, but whoever saw him, meaning at first glance, would fear him, and whoever mixed with him in companionship would love him and become accustomed to him. Well, they feared to speak to him because of the great awe that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) placed in the hearts of people regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), even though he was the best of people in character. But this awe is a blessing from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) that He gives people awe of a person so that he is respected among them. And you know that if a person is joking with someone, he might be bold with him. By Allah, a question that philosophers could not ask, from a people who did not study the science of philosophy or logic. There is a third category, which is: or did you intentionally say the salam before completing it? But is this last one possible or not?
The student: Not possible.

The Shaykh : Allah is the Helper. Either he was forgetting, or the prayer was shortened, or he did it intentionally. The third: what is it? Impossible, not possible. And for this reason, the Companion did not ask about it because he knew it would not happen from the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . Here is a problem: how does he say "I did not forget" when he was forgetting? There are two things here, pay attention. As for his saying "I did not shorten," that is a denial of a legal ruling, in which error is not possible. And as for his saying , that is based on his belief that he did not forget. And if he did not believe that he did not forget, he would not have said the salam. The issue needs what? A ruling, a ruling between them. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . He did not say "I forgot and the rest of my prayer is dropped due to forgetting," because performing what is obligatory is necessary. Yes.

The questioner : Regarding the chapters on women...

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : Regarding the chapters on women, tell them, brother Abdullah.

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : Regarding the chapters on women, the brothers say, "Close the chapters on women now," so tell them, Abdullah...

The Shaykh : It is finished. Praise be to Allah. Yes.