3rd Rakat or 4th? | Rules of Doubt in Four-Unit Prayer

April 19, 2022

What should one do when having doubts during four-unit prayers? 

We may sometimes experience doubts between rakats (units) of prayer. For example, “Did I perform 2 rakats or 3?” Or, “Is this my 3rd rakat or 4th?” We might think it necessary to start our prayers again in such doubtful conditions.

According to the edicts of al-Sayyid al-Sistani, certain cases may be remedied without invalidating prayer, while others require prayer to be re-performed.

I.M.A.M. has prepared a concise infographic (below) for easy understanding of what to do when facing doubts during four-unit prayer.

To download a PDF to keep on your phone or print for your center, click here.

The-Rules-of-Doubt-in-4-Unit-Prayers-Chart-WSG

One response to “3rd Rakat or 4th? | Rules of Doubt in Four-Unit Prayer”

1. Salam. This is not correct I think.

   For example in #06 it says:
   “Whether it is the 4th or 5th unit while standing (qiyam):
   – Sit down immediately, consider it the 4th unit, complete the prayer, and then perform one unit precautionary prayer in a standing position or two units in a sitting position”.

   But according to sistani.org:
   “after starting the second sajdah, one doubts whether he has performed four or five rakʿahs. In this situation, he must assume he has performed four rakʿahs, complete the prayer, and after the prayer, he must perform sajdatā al‑sahw.” https://www.sistani.org/english/book/48/2258/

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