Allah Almighty does not burden a soul beyond its capacity and has made the practice of Islam easy for all people. Allah Almighty states at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 185:
يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ
Allah (Almighty) desires for you, facilitation (of ease), and does not wish for you hardship.
He has given especial mercy and facilitation, in matters of Salah so that every believer can remain connected to their Creator, regardless of circumstance. In His infinite generosity, He makes it easy for all people to benefit from the blessings of Salah no matter what their state. This principle is clearly reflected in the dispensations granted to those who struggle physically.
Problem: Unable to Stand
Dispensation: Pray sitting down
Standing is required only if one is physically able.
Problem: Unable to Bow in Ruku or Prostrate in Sujood
Dispensation: Perform bowing and prostration through head movements (indication)
Lower the head slightly for Ruku and more for Sujood.
Problem: Bedridden Due to Illness
Dispensation: Pray lying down
Indicate the movements with the head – and if that is not possible, with the eyes.
Problem: Sudden Illness During Prayer
Dispensation: Change posture mid-prayer
If someone begins praying standing and becomes weak, they may continue sitting.
Problem: Temporary Weakness or Fatigue
Dispensation: Perform what you are able
If able to complete full Ruku and Sujood later in the prayer, resume the full actions.
These allowances are not loopholes – they are signs of divine compassion. Allah Almighty has ensured that no one is deprived of prayer due to illness, weakness, or physical limitation. Worship is never meant to harm; it is meant to uplift. Prayer remains valid so long as a person performs it to the best of their ability.
Salah is not reserved for the strong alone; the hidden mercies, protections, blessings and joys of prayer are open to all: male and female, young and old, healthy and ill. The message is clear: Allah Almighty allows all people to connect to Him in whatever way they can. Even in weakness, worship continues and within that continuity lies immense compassion.
Sajdah Al Sahaw (also known as Sujood Sahw) are two prostrations performed to correct mistakes made during prayer – such as forgetting an obligation, adding something unintentionally, or being unsure about the number of Rakat (Units of prayer).
Allah Almighty forgives human forgetfulness and provides a merciful correction mechanism within the prayer itself.
The principle of correction and humility in prayer is rooted in a verse from the noble Quran. Allah Almighty tells us in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 286:
رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا
‘O our Sustainer, do not take us to task for our omissions and our mistakes.’
In a Hadith Qudsi, reported in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 126, holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ tells us that Allah Almighty has accepted this supplication. This establishes that forgetfulness is excused, and holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has demonstrated for us how to correct forgetfulness in Salah.
If you add something unintentionally, perform two prostrations after Salaam. It is reported in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1226 that:
صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَمْسًا … فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ مَا سَلَّمَ
(Once) The Messenger of Allah Almighty ﷺ prayed five Rakats. After finishing and saying Salaam, he performed two prostrations.
If you omit an obligatory part, perform two prostrations. It is reported in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 829 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
إِذَا قَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ … فَلْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ
‘If one of you stands after two Rakats without sitting (for Tashahhud)… let him perform two prostrations (of Sajdah Al Sahaw).’
If in doubt, act on certainty, then perform Sajdah Al Sahaw. It is reported in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 571 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
إِذَا شَكَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِ … فَلْيَطْرَحِ الشَّكَّ وَلْيَبْنِ عَلَى مَا اسْتَيْقَنَ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ
‘If one of you doubts in (the performance of any part of) his prayer, let him discard doubt and build upon what he is certain of, then perform two prostrations.’
There are two situations:
If the mistake was omission (e.g. missed Tashahhud):
(before and after Salaam are acceptable in the reported Sunnah)
If the mistake was addition (e.g. extra Rakat):
Sajdah Al Sahaw is a mercy that Allah Almighty has granted mankind. It is reported in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 401 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ أَنْسَى كَمَا تَنْسَوْنَ، فَإِذَا نَسِيتُ فَذَكِّرُونِي، وَإِذَا شَكَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلْيَتَحَرَّ الصَّوَابَ، فَلْيُتِمَّ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ لِيُسَلِّمْ، ثُمَّ لِيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْن
‘Indeed, I am (sent to the earth) but as a human being like you; I (am instructed to) forget as you forget. So, if I forget, remind me (the same way you would have to be reminded). And if any of you has doubts about his prayer, let him seek the correct answer, then let him complete it accordingly, then let him give the salutation, then let him perform two prostrations.’
Islam does not cancel your prayer for every small mistake. Instead, it teaches responsibility, correction, and humility. Sajdah Al Sahaw is a reminder that perfection belongs to Allah Almighty, and sincere effort belongs to us.
