The ruling on one who forgets the prostration for forgetfulness and a long interval has passed

Question:
If a long interval has passed, and he forgot the prostration for forgetfulness, and a long interval has passed, does he repeat the prayer?


Answer:
No, he performs the prostration for forgetfulness. When he remembers the prostration, he performs the prostration for forgetfulness.
Q: Even if a long interval has passed?
The Shaykh: Even if a long interval has passed.
Q: Even if it is after a day.
The Shaykh: The correct view is that even if a long interval has passed, some scholars hold that it is dropped, but the best and most cautious course is that he performs the prostration, even if a long interval has passed.
Q: If he is with a congregation, an imam leading a congregational prayer?
The Shaykh: He should alert them.
Q: Meaning it is dropped for those who left and did not know...?
The Shaykh: Yes, and if he alerts them and performs the prostration for forgetfulness, his caution is better.
Q: If a long interval has passed, he does not repeat the prayer?
The Shaykh: No, he does not repeat the prayer. He does not repeat it because of the prostration for forgetfulness. No, some scholars said: the prostration for forgetfulness is dropped if a long interval has passed. But if he performs the prostration for forgetfulness, even if a long interval has passed, that is more cautious; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the prostration for forgetfulness.
Q: If he forgot the first tashahhud and then remembered after two days?
The Shaykh: The matter is easy, if Allah wills.
Q: Is it better if he prostrates?
The Shaykh: If he prostrates, there is no harm. If he performs the prostration for forgetfulness, the apparent meaning of the hadith is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he forgot the first tashahhud, performed the prostration for forgetfulness before he said the closing salam (peace and blessings be upon him).
Q: Do you say he performs the prostration for forgetfulness even if a long interval has passed?
The Shaykh: That is the best and the most cautious. Some scholars hold that it is dropped if a long interval has passed.
Q: But if he breaks his ritual purity, some scholars say: if he breaks his ritual purity, or leaves the mosque, or a long interval has passed, it is dropped?
The Shaykh: This is the independent legal reasoning of the scholars.
Q: If he breaks his ritual purity, is it said: purify yourself, then prostrate?
The Shaykh: That is the best, that is the most cautious; because two prostrations remain upon him.
Q: Meaning this state of ritual impurity does not harm?
The Shaykh: That is more cautious.
Q: Does the state of ritual impurity not drop it?
The Shaykh: It is from the perspective of caution.
Q: Meaning you hold that the prostration for forgetfulness is not dropped...?
The Shaykh: It is from the perspective of caution. And whoever says he should prostrate, that is a strong opinion. Whoever says he should prostrate even if a long interval has passed, that is a strong opinion. But the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the prostration and remained silent indicates that the preferable course is to perform the prostration for forgetfulness whenever he remembers.