Is one Sujud-ul-Sahw sufficient when one doubts having missed a Rukn in Salah?

Q 3: If someone has doubts about whether or not they performed a Rukn (integral pillar) or an obligatory action in Salah (Prayer) they have just offered, should they perform Sujud-ul-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) just once or do they have to perform it for every error they made?


A: If the person praying has doubts as to whether or not they missed a Rukn in their Salah, they are like someone who has actually missed it and they have to perform this Rukn, unless they are already standing up to offer the next Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer). In this case, the next Rak‘ah nullifies and replaces the previous Rak‘ah about which one is in doubt of a Rukn being omitted. The person should also perform Sujud-ul-Sahw. However, if they start to have the doubts after saying the Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer), this has no effect on the validity of Salah, as the basic rule is that the Salah offered is complete and correct. If they have doubts as to whether they omitted an obligatory act, they should not perform Sujud-ul-Sahw, because they doubt the reason necessitating Sujud-ul-Sahw and the basic rule is its absence.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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