Whispers and Doubts in Prayer
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Q: A woman asks in her question: I frequently doubt the number of rak'ahs, even though I recite aloud so that I remember what I am reciting, but I am also afflicted by doubt. So when I finish performing the prayer, I feel as if I forgot a rak'ah, a prostration, or the sitting for the tashahhud, despite my great effort not to doubt in the prayer, but to no avail. So I ask you to guide me: What should I do in the situation described? Is it obligatory for me to repeat the prayer when I have doubt? Is there a supplication I should recite at the beginning of the prayer to remove the doubt?
A: It is obligatory for you to combat the whispers and be cautious of them, and to frequently seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan; because of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: [Surat al-Nas: 1-4], and His saying, the Exalted: [Surat al-A'raf: 200].
And when you have finished the prayer or the wudu' and then doubt occurs to you regarding it, turn away from it and do not pay attention to it, and rely on the fact that the prayer is valid and the wudu' is valid. And if doubt occurs in the prayer: Did I pray three or four? Then make it three and complete the prayer, then prostrate two prostrations for forgetfulness before the taslim; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the one who experiences such forgetfulness to do what we have mentioned. May Allah protect us and you from Shaytan.
A: It is obligatory for you to combat the whispers and be cautious of them, and to frequently seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan; because of the saying of Allah, the Exalted:
(1) Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, (2) The Sovereign of mankind. (3) The God of mankind, (4) From the evil of the retreating whisperer -
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ إِلَهِ النَّاسِ مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.
وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌAnd when you have finished the prayer or the wudu' and then doubt occurs to you regarding it, turn away from it and do not pay attention to it, and rely on the fact that the prayer is valid and the wudu' is valid. And if doubt occurs in the prayer: Did I pray three or four? Then make it three and complete the prayer, then prostrate two prostrations for forgetfulness before the taslim; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the one who experiences such forgetfulness to do what we have mentioned. May Allah protect us and you from Shaytan.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.