Sujud al-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)

Sujud al-Sahw (Arabic: سجود السهو) consists of two extra prostrations (sujud) performed after the conclusion of the prayer to compensate for specific errors or omissions that inadvertently occurred during the prayer. These prostrations "repair" the prayer so that it remains valid.

In Shia fiqh, sujud al-sahw is obligatory in the following situations: (1) If one inadvertently speaks during the prayer, (2) If one forgets the tashahhud, (3) If one mistakenly says the taslim (concluding greeting) in the wrong place, (4) If one is in doubt about the number of rak'ah in certain situations, and (5) If one adds or omits a sujud.

The performance is simple: after the prayer's taslim, the worshipper performs two sujud with the following recitation: "Bismillahi wa billah, as-salamu alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (In the name of Allah and by Allah, peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings). Then one sits and says the tashahhud and taslim. Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) explained sujud al-sahw in detail (Wasail al-Shia, vol. 8).

It is important to distinguish between errors that require sujud al-sahw and errors that invalidate the prayer entirely. In Shia fiqh, the prayer is invalidated if one adds or omits a rukn (pillar) — such as skipping ruku or consciously adding an extra ruku. But for minor errors, sujud al-sahw is sufficient. Islamic scholars have detailed guidelines on which errors require which action.