Hadith #122

Arabic Text

English Translation

It was narrated from 'Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) — via Muhammad ibn Ja'far, from Shu'ba — Mansur wrote to me and I read it back to him — from Ibrahim, from 'Alqama — that 'Abdullah said: 'the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed a prayer — I do not know whether he added or subtracted [rak'as] — Ibrahim [al-Nakha'i] is the one expressing uncertainty [or it was 'Alqama or 'Abdullah himself who was uncertain]. He then turned to face us and we told him what he had done. He turned his leg [to face the qibla], faced the qibla, and performed two prostrations. Then he turned to face us and said: If something had changed [by revelation] in the prayer, I would have informed you. But I am only a human being — I forget as you forget. So if I forget, remind me. And whichever of you is in doubt during his prayer, let him determine what is closest to being correct, complete the prayer on that basis, give the salam, then perform two prostrations [of forgetfulness].'