Doubt in number of Rakaats performed in Salaah
QUESTION:
What should a person do if in his Salaah, he has a lapse in concentration which causes a doubt as to which Rakaat of Salaah he is in? Please advise if Sajdah-e-Sahw becomes necessary.
ANSWER:
1. If a person is in doubt as to whether he has performed 3 Rakaats or 4 Rakaats; if the doubt has occurred for the very first time, and one does not experience such doubts generally, then he should repeat the Salaah.
2. If he regularly experiences doubts in Salaah, then he should look at where his heart is inclining. If the heart is inclined more towards 3 Rakaats, then he should read one more Rakaat, and there wiil be no need for Sajdah-e-Sahw. However, if the heart is inclined more towards 4 Rakaats, then there is no need to perform an additional Rakaat, nor is he required to perform Sajdah-e-Sahw. So, if the heart inclines in a particular direction, then he should complete his Salaah accordingly.
However, if after exercising the mind, the heart remains neutral, meaning that it does not incline to 3 Rakaats nor to 4 Rakaats, then he will regard it to be the third Rakaat and join an additional Rakaat. However, he should sit at the end of the third Rakaat and recite At-Tahiyyaat, then he should stand up and perform the 4th Rakaat and thereafter, complete his Salaah as normal after making Sajdah-e-Sahw in the end.
3. A similar ruling will be applicable if one experiences doubts in the second Rakaat. If the doubt occurred for the very first time, then he should repeat the Salaah. If the doubts occur repeatedly, then he should exercise the mind. If the heart inclines to the secomd Rakaat, then he will consider it to be the second Rakaat, and if the heart inclines to it being the third Rakaat, then it will be considered as the third Rakaat. There is no need for Sajdah-e-Sahw in this instance.
However, if the heart remains neutral, then he should sit after the second Rakaat and recite “At-Tahiyyaat”. Then he should stand for the third Rakaat, but he should sit at the end of the third Rakaat for “At-Tahiyyaat”, as it is possible that this is the 4th Rakaat. Then he should stand up for the 4th Rakaat, and terminate the Salaah as normal after making Sajdah-e-Sahw at the end. [Re:- Behishti Zewar Pg.39/40 – Part 2]
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 22 Muharram 1445 / 08 August 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb