QUESTION

For a long time, I have had a problem. Whilst performing salaat, I doubt the number of rakaats performed.  How am I to go about my salaat?

ANSWER

It seems by your question that you are in the habit of doubting the number of rakaats. If this is the case, then you must ponder into the number of rakaats performed and ask your mind to give the verdict. If your mind is able to conclude that you have performed two rakaats, three rakaats or four rakaats, you should accept this conclusion and complete your salaat accordingly. In this case no sajda sahw is necessary. However if the doubt is such that you are unable to reach any conclusion, then you should choose the lesser number i.e. if the doubt is between two or three rakaats, you should consider that you have only performed two rakaats;  If the doubt is between three and four, you should consider that you have performed three rakaats only; if the doubt is between one and two rakaats, you shall consider that you have performed only one rakaat. And, in all these instances, you will sit in at-tahiyyaat and recite Tashahhud in each rakaat and in the last rakaat of the salaat perform sajda sahw.

Allah knows best

Riyadh Jannah Vol. 2 No. 7/8 June/July 1993

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