The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "When one of you stands and prays, the Devil comes to him and confuses him (20), until he does not know how much he has prayed. So if one of you finds that, let him prostrate twice while he is sitting." Agreed upon (21). This is because he doubted in the prayer and did not invalidate it, as would be the case if that were repeated from him. His saying (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "There is no ghirar (delusion/uncertainty)," means he should not diminish his prayer. It is also possible he intended that he should not leave the prayer while [doubting] (22) its completion. Whoever builds upon certainty does not remain in doubt regarding its completion, and likewise, whoever builds upon his predominant thought and the followers (ma'mumun) agree with him, or they correct his mistake, there is no doubt for him.

Section: Whenever both matters are equal in his mind, he builds upon certainty, whether he is an Imam or praying alone. He performs what remains of his prayer and performs the prostration of forgetfulness (sajdat al-sahw) before the taslim, because the fundamental principle is building upon certainty. Deviating from this is only permissible for the Imam because it conflicts with his predominant thought; when that (predominant thought) is not found, one must return to the fundamental principle.

Section: If the Imam is forgetful and performs an action in the wrong place, it is incumbent upon the followers (ma'mumun) to alert him. If they are men, they glorify Allah (tasbih), and if they are women, they clap by striking the palms of their hands on the backs of the others. Al-Shafi'i held this view. Malik said: Tasbih is for both men and women, due to the saying of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Whoever is faced with something in his prayer, let him say: 'Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah)." Agreed upon (23). It was related