Sajdah Sahw

Q. What is Sajdah Sahw?

A. Sahw means forgetting. If there is an unintentional addition or deletion in prayer, two sajdahs are done in the last qa’dah to compensate. This is called Sajdah Sahw.

Q. How is Sajdah Sahw done?

A. In the last qa’dah after tashahhud, turn for salaam on right, say takbeer and do two sajdahs. Say tasbeeh three times in each. Sit straight after first sajdah, do second, then complete at-tahiyyaat, darood, du’aa, and salaam.

Q. What if darood & du’aa are said before Sajdah Sahw?

A. Some scholars suggest saying tashahhud, darood, du’aa before and repeating after. Better to do, but no harm if not.

Q. Is Sajdah Sahw waajib for all prayers?

A. The ruling is same for all prayers.

Q. What if salaam is done before Sajdah Sahw?

A. Turning for one side only is correct. If both sides done, either allowed (some narrations) or repeat prayer (more certain).

Q. What makes Sajdah Sahw waajib?

A. Missing or delaying waajib/fard, wrong priority, repeated fard, changing manner unintentionally.

Q. If mistakes done knowingly?

A. Sajdah Sahw will not remove deficiency. Must repeat prayer.

Q. Multiple deficiencies in one prayer?

A. Only once. Two sajdahs cover all deficiencies.

Q. Changes in qiraa’ah causing Sajdah Sahw?

A. Omitting or repeating Surah Faatihah, reciting another surah first, not reciting surah with Faatihah in rak’aat (except 3rd/4th of fard), if unintentional.

Q. Forgetting ta’deel of arkaan?

A. Sajdah Sahw becomes waajib.

Q. Forgetting first qa’dah?

A. If almost in sitting posture, sit down, no sajdah. If almost risen, leave qa’dah, stand, then do sajdah sahw in last qa’dah.

Q. Other things making Sajdah Sahw waajib?

A. Rukuu’ twice in one rak’ah, 3 sajdahs, missing tashahhud in first/last qa’dah, reciting darood beyond point, incorrect imaam recitation (loud/low), all unintentional.

Q. Muqtadi forgets?

A. Not waajib on muqtadi for his own forgetfulness.

Q. Masbooq forgets?

A. Waajib on him to do Sajdah Sahw in last qa’dah of remaining prayer.