Question:Is it permissible to reflect on doubt regarding the number of rak'ahs (units) in obligatory prayer? For example, is it allowed to stop any recitation at any stage to think? Is it permissible to think while continuing the prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, one should reflect when struck by doubt before deciding between the two sides of the doubt and making a decision. Allah knows best.

Question:A woman heard that one of the Maghrib and Isha prayers is three Rak'ahs and the other is four Rak'ahs. For a long time, she prayed Maghrib with four Rak'ahs and Isha with three Rak'ahs. After several years, she learned of her mistake. What is the ruling?

Answer:In the name of Allah, she must make up both prayers for the entire period during which she performed them incorrectly, in violation of the Sharia ruling. Allah knows best.

Question:What should one do if they realize after prayer that they missed one of the two prostrations or the Tashahhud? Could you please explain the ruling briefly?

Answer:In the name of Allah, both should be made up as a precaution, along with performing the two prostrations of forgetfulness. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it necessary to sit between the two prostrations of forgetfulness (Sajdatay al-Sahw), or is it sufficient to slightly raise the forehead and return it without sitting?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is necessary to sit. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it obligatory to perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahu) if one recites a tasbeeh (Subhanallah) instead of a verse or recites tasbeeh instead of reciting a verse, or if they recited during the bowing (ruku') or prostration (sujood) instead of saying the tasbeeh?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is obligatory to perform two prostrations of forgetfulness for increasing tasbeeh instead of recitation and two additional prostrations for decreasing recitation. Similarly, two prostrations of forgetfulness are obligatory for increasing recitation during the bowing or prostration, and two more prostrations are required for decreasing supplication. Allah knows best.

Question:What is the ruling if the praying person forgets a prostration from the two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahu)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, they should perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness whenever they remember. Allah knows best.

Question:If a child tells his elderly father, "You prayed the Isha (After sunset) prayer as three units (rak'ahs), I noticed that," and the father responds, "I am certain within myself that I prayed four units (rak'ahs)," in this situation, is it obligatory for the father to abandon his certainty and act upon what his child said, or is it obligatory for the father to act upon his own certainty?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is obligatory for the father to follow his own certainty. Allah knows best.

Question:If a child tells his elderly father, "You prayed the Isha (After sunset) prayer as three units (rak'ahs), I noticed that," and the father responds, "I am certain within myself that I prayed four units (rak'ahs)," in this situation, is it obligatory for the father to abandon his certainty and act upon what his child said, or is it obligatory for the father to act upon his own certainty?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is obligatory for the father to follow his own certainty. Allah knows best.

Question:In prayer, a person doubts in the first rak’ah to be the first or second rak’ah, but he continues his prayer and while he is performing the second rak’ah, he is sure of this doubt that this is the first rak’ah. Does this kind of continuation in a state of doubt invalidates the prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if his doubt is inclined more to one side rather than the other, he has to take that stronger side. However, if his doubt is in between the two thoughts (the first rakah or the second), he has to nullify this prayer and perform it again and if he does not do so, he has to repeat it in its due time and perform it as a missed prayer in another time. Allah knows best.