The imam forgets and doubts whether he prayed three or four rak'ahs, and the ma'mum (congregation) recite tasbih; does he act upon their tasbih in confirming the prostration for forgetfulness?
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The questioner : Shaykh, I am the imam of a mosque, and I was praying in congregation. I forgot in one of the rak'ahs; I do not know if it was the third or the fourth. Do I consider the tasbih of the congregation behind me as confirmation that I am certain of the fourth, for example?
The Shaykh : Yes, if the imam doubts whether he prayed three or four, then he stands up and the congregation recites tasbih, and he is not certain of the correctness of his own action, it is obligatory for him to return.
The questioner : If they do not recite tasbih?
The Shaykh : If they do not recite tasbih, he builds his prayer upon what is most likely in his opinion.
The questioner : I prayed four.
The Shaykh : Hm?
The questioner : I prayed four, and I believed it was three; I doubted in this matter.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : And my congregation did not recite tasbih when I sat for prostration for the tashahhud.
The Shaykh : But what is most likely in your opinion?
The questioner : It is most likely in my opinion that it was three, for example.
The Shaykh : Complete the fourth, complete the fourth, then prostrate for forgetfulness after the taslim. If they remind you when you stand for the fourth, meaning: sit down, sit down, because you do not have certainty that removes your certainty.
The questioner : Another question.
The Shaykh : Be patient.
The questioner : ... we are outside the house.
The Shaykh : We do not accept unless the attendees permit; do you permit? We will give him one extra?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The Shaykh : Yes, if the imam doubts whether he prayed three or four, then he stands up and the congregation recites tasbih, and he is not certain of the correctness of his own action, it is obligatory for him to return.
The questioner : If they do not recite tasbih?
The Shaykh : If they do not recite tasbih, he builds his prayer upon what is most likely in his opinion.
The questioner : I prayed four.
The Shaykh : Hm?
The questioner : I prayed four, and I believed it was three; I doubted in this matter.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : And my congregation did not recite tasbih when I sat for prostration for the tashahhud.
The Shaykh : But what is most likely in your opinion?
The questioner : It is most likely in my opinion that it was three, for example.
The Shaykh : Complete the fourth, complete the fourth, then prostrate for forgetfulness after the taslim. If they remind you when you stand for the fourth, meaning: sit down, sit down, because you do not have certainty that removes your certainty.
The questioner : Another question.
The Shaykh : Be patient.
The questioner : ... we are outside the house.
The Shaykh : We do not accept unless the attendees permit; do you permit? We will give him one extra?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Fine.