If one stands up from the tashahhud in forgetfulness and then returns out of fear of confusing the worshippers, what is the ruling on his action?
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The questioner : If the imam makes a mistake in the tarawih prayer, which is an obligatory prayer in Ramadan, and stands up for the third rak'ah before sitting for the first tashahhud, and some of the ma'mum (those praying behind him) alert him, so he sits down. When the prayer ended, some of the ma'mum asked him: Why did you sit down after you had already stood up? He argued that the women behind the worshippers, for example, in a separate building from the ma'mum, cannot see the ma'mum. He said: He feared that confusion would arise between the women and following the imam. What is the ruling?
The Shaykh : Yes, first: It must be known that if one stands up from the first tashahhud, whether in Ramadan or otherwise, until he is fully standing, it is not permissible for him to return, because he has moved to the next pillar. So he should continue in his prayer, then prostrate for forgetfulness before the taslim. Did you understand?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory, whether he is an imam or praying alone. As for the ma'mum, he must follow his imam. And if he stands up for an extra rak'ah, such as standing up for a fifth in 'Isha', Zuhr, or 'Asr, or a fourth in Maghrib, or a third in Fajr, he must return as soon as he remembers, even if he has recited al-Fatihah, even if he is in ruku'. He must return, sit, perform the tashahhud, and say the taslim, then prostrate for forgetfulness after the taslim. He should not look at anyone and should not mind anyone. So this imam who forgot the first tashahhud in the 'Isha' prayer until he stood up, then was alerted and returned, and argued that he feared the women would become confused, has interpreted the matter without doubt. And because of this interpretation, we say: His prayer is valid, but we inform him that this interpretation is not correct. He should have remained in his standing. He could have raised his voice somewhat in reciting al-Fatihah. If he raised his voice in reciting al-Fatihah, the women would know that he has stood up, and the problem would be resolved. Raising the voice in this situation for the sake of benefit is permissible, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes raised his voice with the verse in the secret prayer. So likewise here, we say: Raise your voice in this third rak'ah, even though reciting it quietly is better, because of the need. Yes, inform the imam of this so that it does not happen again from him. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, first: It must be known that if one stands up from the first tashahhud, whether in Ramadan or otherwise, until he is fully standing, it is not permissible for him to return, because he has moved to the next pillar. So he should continue in his prayer, then prostrate for forgetfulness before the taslim. Did you understand?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory, whether he is an imam or praying alone. As for the ma'mum, he must follow his imam. And if he stands up for an extra rak'ah, such as standing up for a fifth in 'Isha', Zuhr, or 'Asr, or a fourth in Maghrib, or a third in Fajr, he must return as soon as he remembers, even if he has recited al-Fatihah, even if he is in ruku'. He must return, sit, perform the tashahhud, and say the taslim, then prostrate for forgetfulness after the taslim. He should not look at anyone and should not mind anyone. So this imam who forgot the first tashahhud in the 'Isha' prayer until he stood up, then was alerted and returned, and argued that he feared the women would become confused, has interpreted the matter without doubt. And because of this interpretation, we say: His prayer is valid, but we inform him that this interpretation is not correct. He should have remained in his standing. He could have raised his voice somewhat in reciting al-Fatihah. If he raised his voice in reciting al-Fatihah, the women would know that he has stood up, and the problem would be resolved. Raising the voice in this situation for the sake of benefit is permissible, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes raised his voice with the verse in the secret prayer. So likewise here, we say: Raise your voice in this third rak'ah, even though reciting it quietly is better, because of the need. Yes, inform the imam of this so that it does not happen again from him. Yes.