Fatwa ID: 04804
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Question
A person led the prayer for Isha, however at the third rakat, he sat down for some considerable time (way more time than saying Subhan Allah 3 times), leaning more towards completing the prayer. Then somebody from the congregation said, Allahu Akbar. He then stood up and completed the fourth Rakat, but did not do Sajdah Sahw.
Could you please clarify whether Sajdah sahw should have been done? Should the prayer have to be repeated?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
Sajdah Sahwa becomes obligatory under the following circumstances:
- Any wajib act being omitted.
- Any wajib act being displaced, i.e. observing it before time or later than its actual occasion of being observed.
- Any wajib act being delayed to the extent of one rukn i.e. the time taken to say Subhan Allah three times.
- Any wajib act being repeated.
- Any wajib act being altered, e.g. loud recitation being recited in place of silent recitation.
- Any fardh act being displaced, i.e. observing it before time or later than its actual occasion of being observed.
- Any fardh act being repeated. (Raddul Muhtar p.543 v.2)
If any of the above mishaps occur due to forgetfulness, only then Sajdah Sahwa will remedy the error. However, if a person deliberately missed the aforementioned things then his salah will break. Sajdah Sahwa will not be sufficient. (Mazahirul Haqq p.21 v.2)
Regarding your question, the Imam should have done Sajdah Sahwa at the end, but there is no need for you to repeat the Salah now.
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
