Chapter: Regarding One Who Forgets the Tashahhud

• I asked Abu Abdullah Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and I said: "A man forgot the Tashahhud until he finished the prayer?" He said: "As for in the first two rak'ahs, the matter is easier, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood up from the two [rak'ahs] and continued his prayer, and there was no sitting or Tashahhud there, and he did not repeat it. But it is more serious at the end of the prayer." I said: "Would you prefer that he takes precautions and repeats the prayer?" He said: "I do not know how this [would be the case]."

• And I asked Ishaq regarding a man who forgot the Tashahhud until he finished his prayer? He said: "He must repeat the prayer." I said: "What if he remembers it before he speaks?" He said: "He should return to his position, recite the Tashahhud, and conclude with the taslim. And if he remembers it after he has spoken, he must repeat the prayer."

1082 - Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrated to us, he said: Yazid ibn Harun narrated to us, he said: al-Mas'udi narrated to us, from Ziyad ibn 'Alaqah, who said: Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah led us in prayer. When he had prayed two rak'ahs, he stood up and did not sit, so those behind him prompted him (subhanAllah). He signaled to them to stand up. When he finished his prayer, he concluded with the taslim, then performed two prostrations, then concluded with the taslim, and then said: "This is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did with us."

1083 - Muhammad ibn al-Wazir narrated to us, he said: al-Walid ibn Muslim narrated to us, he said: I said to Abu 'Amr: "What is your view if I forget the first Tashahhud and stand up from it, and I do not remember it until I am fully standing?" He said: "Continue until you complete your prayer, then perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw), then conclude with the taslim." I said: "So the two prostrations of forgetfulness are before the taslim?" He said: "Yes."