The rules of sahw (forgetfulness)

 *The rules of sahw (forgetfulness)*

The rules of sahw (forgetfulness) in make-up prayers are the same as in the prayers made on time. The rules of forgetfulness in the nāfila prayer are the same as in the obligatory prayer except in six matters:

1. The fātiḥa

2. Sūra

3. Silent recitation

4. Audible recitation

5. Adding a rakʿa

6. Forgetting some of the pillars of the prayer if a long time has passed

So, whoever forgets the fātiḥa in the nāfila and remembers it after the rukūʾ he continues on in his prayer and he prostrates before the Salām. This is in contrast to the farḍ prayer where he would void that rakʿa, add another rakʿa and continue. His prostration would be according to what we mentioned about the person who forgot a prostration. If a person forgets the sura, the audible recitation, or the silent recitation in the nāfila and remembers after the rukūʾ and he does not owe a prostration, which differs from the farḍ prayer. If a person stands for a third rakʿa during a nāfila, he returns if he remembers before completing the rukūʾ and prostrates after the Salām. If he completed the third rakʿa, he should continue and add a fourth rakʿa and prostrate before the Salām. This differs from the farḍ where he would return as soon as he realizes and prostrate after the Salām.

If a person forgets a pillar from the nāfila prayer, such as rukūʾ or sujūd, and does not remember until he has said Salām and a long time has passed, he does not have to repeat the prayer. This differs from the farḍ prayer in which case he would repeat it indefinitely. Whoever cuts off a nāfila prayer intentionally or leaves a rakʿa or sajda from it intentionally, must repeat it indefinitely.