What happens if I don't know how to do one of the essential parts of prayer?
If you find yourself unsure about how to perform one of the essential parts of the prayer, it is important to seek clarity to ensure your prayer is valid. In this context, Al-Kafi mentions, If you do not know how much you prayed and your doubt has no basis on anything, then repeat the prayer.
Al-Kafi 4:402. This highlights that in cases of uncertainty, particularly regarding the number of units prayed, one should repeat the prayer to fulfill the requirement correctly.
Additionally, various hadiths emphasize the importance of proper execution in prayer. For instance, Sunan an-Nasa'i narrates an incident where a man prayed but was told by the Prophet ﷺ, Go back and pray; indeed, you have not prayed.
Sunan an-Nasa'i 13:136. This illustrates that if one is not performing the prayer correctly, it is crucial to learn and rectify the mistakes. The Prophet ﷺ further advised on the correct procedure of prayer, including the importance of performing ablution well and being calm in all actions during prayer to ensure its completeness.
Thus, if you are uncertain about any aspect of the prayer, it is recommended to repeat it and seek guidance on performing it correctly.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 4:402
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 402
Sahl ibn Ziyad narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali and Ubaydullah ibn al-Marzuban from Ibn Sinan, who said: I entered upon Abu al-Hasan Musa (peace be upon him) a year before he came to Iraq. Ali, his son, was sitting before him. He looked at me and said: "O Muhammad, indeed there will be movement this year, so do not be alarmed because of that." I said: "What will happen, may I be sacrificed for you?" For what you said disturbed me. He replied: "Should I submit to the tyrant? Indeed he will not initiate harm towards me nor from what will happen after him." I asked: "What will happen, may I be sacrificed for you?" He said: "God misleads the oppressors and God does as He wills." I said: "What is that, may I be sacrificed for you?" He said: "Whoever oppresses my son or denies his imamate after me is like one who wronged Ali ibn Abi Talib regarding his right and denied his imamate after the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family)." I said: "By God, if God prolongs my life, I will certainly give him his right and acknowledge him in his imamate." He said: "You spoke the truth, O Muhammad. God will prolong your life, and you will give him his right and recognize him as Imam and recognize his successors thereafter." I said: "Who will that be?" He said: "Muhammad, his son." I said: "I accept and submit." — OR — If you do not know how much you prayed and your doubt has no basis on anything, then repeat the prayer.
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Sunan an-Nasa'i 13:136
Sunan an-Nasa'i · Book 13, Hadith 136 · Narrated by Father's uncle Badri
I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the mosque when a man entered and prayed two units of prayer. Then he came and greeted the Prophet, who had been watching him during prayer. The Prophet replied to his greeting and said, "Go back and pray; indeed, you have not prayed." He returned, prayed again, came and greeted the Prophet, who responded to his greeting, then said, "Go back and pray; you still have not prayed," until the third or fourth time. The man said, "By the One who revealed the Book to you, I have exerted myself and been careful; so show me and teach me." The Prophet said, "When you want to pray, perform ablution well, then face the Qiblah, say Allahu Akbar, then recite, then bow and be calm in bowing, then rise until you are standing upright, then prostrate and be calm in prostration, then rise until sitting calmly, then prostrate again until calm, then rise. If you complete your prayer like this, it is complete and nothing is lacking; but whatever you omit reduces your prayer."
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