Build on certainty: the one who doubts whether he prayed three or four
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Q: If the one praying doubts whether he prayed three or four, what should he do?
A: It is obligatory for him, in the case of doubt, to build on certainty, which is the lesser number. In the scenario mentioned, he should consider it three, perform the fourth, then prostrate for forgetfulness and conclude the prayer. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Al-Imam Muslim recorded it in his *Sahih* from the hadith of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him).
However, if he is convinced that one of the two possibilities is more likely—either that he missed a unit or that he completed the prayer—he should build on his conviction, then conclude the prayer, and then prostrate twice for forgetfulness after the salam. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Mishkat al-Masabih 1016 Al-Bukhari recorded it in *al-Sahih* from the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him).
A: It is obligatory for him, in the case of doubt, to build on certainty, which is the lesser number. In the scenario mentioned, he should consider it three, perform the fourth, then prostrate for forgetfulness and conclude the prayer. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
If one of you doubts in his prayer and does not know whether he prayed three or four, let him discard the doubt and build on what he is certain of, then prostrate twice before concluding the prayer. If he prayed five, the two prostrations will make his prayer even-numbered; and if he prayed the full amount, they will be a humiliation for Satan.
إذا شك أحدكم في صلاته، فلم يدرِ كم صلى ثلاثًا أم أربعًا؟ فليطرح الشك، وليبن على ما استيقن، ثم ليسجد سجدتين قبل أن يُسلِّم، فإن كان صلى خمسًا شفعن له صلاته، وإن كان صلى تمامًا كانتا ترغيمًا للشيطانHowever, if he is convinced that one of the two possibilities is more likely—either that he missed a unit or that he completed the prayer—he should build on his conviction, then conclude the prayer, and then prostrate twice for forgetfulness after the salam. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
and when any of you is in doubt about his prayer he should aim at what is correct and complete his prayer in that respect, then give the salutation and afterwards make two prostrations.
إذا شك أحدُكم في صلاته فليتحرَّ الصوابَ، فليتم عليه، ثم ليُسلِّم، ثم يسجد سجدتين بعد السلام
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.