In which situations is the prostration of forgetfulness (sajdat al-sahw) required, and how is it performed?

Dear brother, according to the Hanafi school, the prostration of forgetfulness (sajdat al-sahw) is a compensatory prostration that becomes **wajib** (obligatory) when one of the obligatory acts (fard) of prayer is delayed by mistake (forgetfulness or error), or when one of the necessary acts (wajib) is omitted or delayed. If mistakes are made intentionally or if a fard act of the prayer is omitted, the prostration of forgetfulness does not save the prayer; the prayer must be repeated. If a sunnah act is omitted, the prostration of forgetfulness is not required. ### 1. In Which Situations is Sajdat al-Sahw Required? * **Omitting a wajib act by mistake:** For example, forgetting to recite Surah al-Fatiha or the additional surah after it, or standing up for the third rak'ah without performing the first sitting (qa'dah al-ula) in a four-rak'ah prayer. * **Delaying a wajib act:** For example, delaying the standing for the third rak'ah by reciting 'Allahumma Salli' after 'Tahiyyat' in the first sitting. * **Delaying a fard act:** For example, falling into deep thought after finishing the recitation and delaying the bowing (ruku'). * **Repeating a fard act:** For example, performing ruku' twice or prostration three times in one rak'ah by mistake. ### 2. How is Sajdat al-Sahw Performed? The most common and preferred practice in the Hanafi school is as follows: 1. In the final sitting of the prayer, only the 'Tahiyyat' supplication is recited. 2. After finishing the Tahiyyat, one gives the salutation (taslim) only to the **right side** (although there are narrations suggesting salutation to both sides, the standard practice, especially in congregation to avoid confusion and as preferred by the majority of Hanafi jurists, is to salute only to the right). 3. One says 'Allahu Akbar' and goes into prostration, reciting 'Subhana Rabbiyal-a'la' three times. 4. One sits up saying 'Allahu Akbar', then goes into the **second prostration** saying 'Allahu Akbar' again. 5. After the second prostration, one sits and recites 'Tahiyyat', 'Salli-Barik', and 'Rabbana' in order. 6. The prayer is completed by giving the salutation to the right and then to the left. ### Basis (Evidence from the Sunnah) The prostration of forgetfulness is a Sunnah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) personally practiced and commanded. As stated in a hadith: *"If one of you is in doubt about his prayer and does not know how many rak'ahs he has prayed (three or four), let him cast aside the doubt and complete his prayer based on what he is certain of. Then let him perform two prostrations before giving the salutation."* (Muslim, Masajid, 88; Abu Dawud, Salat, 190) May Allah Almighty accept our worship and our prayers.