5/133. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1211 — Seek What Is Closest to Correct
What was narrated concerning one who is uncertain about his Prayer, so he should try to do what is correct
When Unsure in Prayer, Choose What Seems Correct
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1211
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1211
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ شُعْبَةُ كَتَبَ إِلَىَّ وَقَرَأْتُهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ صَلاَةً لاَ يَدْرِي أَزَادَ أَوْ نَقَصَ . فَسَأَلَ فَحَدَّثْنَاهُ فَثَنَى رِجْلَهُ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ " لَوْ حَدَثَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ شَىْءٌ لأَنْبَأْتُكُمُوهُ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ أَنْسَى كَمَا تَنْسَوْنَ فَإِذَا نَسِيتُ فَذَكِّرُونِي وَأَيُّكُمْ مَا شَكَّ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَلْيَتَحَرَّ أَقْرَبَ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الصَّوَابِ فَيُتِمَّ عَلَيْهِ وَيُسَلِّمَ وَيَسْجُدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ " .
`Abdullah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered prayer, and I am not sure whether he did something extra or omitted something. He asked, and we told him, so he turned to face the Qiblah and prostrated twice, then he said the Salam. Then he turned to face us and said: ‘If any new command has been revealed concerning the prayer, I would certainly have told you. But I am only human and I forget and you forget. If I forget, then remind me. And if anyone of you is uncertain about the prayer, let him do what is closest to what is correct, then complete the prayer, say the Salam and prostrate twice.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1211In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 409English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1211
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1211
This Hadith gives a full scene about uncertainty in prayer. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed, and the narrator was not sure whether something was added or omitted. After being told, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم faced the Qiblah, prostrated twice, and said the Salam. He then explained that if any new command about prayer had come, he would have told them. He also said that he was human and could forget, and if he forgot, they should remind him. For anyone uncertain about the prayer, he said to seek what is closest to correct, complete the prayer, say the Salam, and prostrate twice. This is a core Hadith for sujood sahw and prayer doubt.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told the Companions to remind him if he forgot.
- If unsure in prayer, the Hadith says to seek what is closest to correct.
- The person should complete the prayer, say Salam, and prostrate twice.
- The Hadith shows correction through calm reminder and action.
