2/204. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1026 — What to Do When Unsure About Three or Four Rak'ahs
Whoever Said The Doubt Should Be Ignored When One Is Confused Regarding (Whether He Has Prayed) Two Or Three Rak'ah
Hadith About Three or Four Rak'ahs Doubt in Salah
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1026
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1026
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا شَكَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلاَ يَدْرِي كَمْ صَلَّى ثَلاَثًا أَوْ أَرْبَعًا فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَةً وَيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ قَبْلَ التَّسْلِيمِ فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّكْعَةُ الَّتِي صَلَّى خَامِسَةً شَفَعَهَا بِهَاتَيْنِ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ رَابِعَةً فَالسَّجْدَتَانِ تَرْغِيمٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ " .
Ata ibn Yasar Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When one of you is in doubt about his prayer, and does not know how much he has prayed, three or four rak'ahs, he should pray one (additional) rak'ah and make two prostrations while sitting before giving the salutation. If the (additional) rak'ah which he prayed is the fifth one, he will make it an even number by these two prostrations. If it is the fourth one, the two prostrations will be a disgrace for the devil.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1026In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 637English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1021
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1026
This hadith speaks to a common prayer doubt: not knowing whether three or four rak'ahs have been prayed. The Prophet said that the person should pray one additional rak'ah and make two prostrations while sitting before giving salutation. The text explains two possible outcomes. If the added rak'ah becomes a fifth, the two prostrations make it even. If it is the fourth, the two prostrations are a disgrace for the devil. For anyone searching what to do if confused in salah, this narration gives a direct path. It does not ask the worshipper to guess endlessly. It teaches a set action when the doubt is between three and four.
What we learn from this hadith
- When unsure between three and four rak'ahs, the text gives a clear action.
- The two prostrations are made while sitting before the salutation.
- The hadith explains both possible results of the added rak'ah.
