What must I do if I forget and finish a 4 rakat fard salat at the end of its 2nd rakat?
If you forget and finish a 4 rak'ah fard salat at the end of its 2nd rak'ah, the proper procedure to follow involves performing two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud as-sahw) after concluding your prayer. This practice is supported by several narrations from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
For instance, the Prophet ﷺ instructed that if someone doubts how many rak'ahs they have prayed, they should consider what seems correct, complete the prayer, and then perform two prostrations before concluding with taslim. He is reported to have said, If one of you doubts his prayer, he should seek certainty and complete the prayer, then conclude with taslim, and then perform two prostrations.
Sunan Abu Dawud 2:631.
Similarly, it is narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah that the Prophet ﷺ stated, In every case of forgetfulness, two prostrations are to be made after finishing with salam.
Sunan Ibn Majah 6:417.
Thus, after completing your 2 rak'ahs, you should stand up to complete the remaining 2 rak'ahs, finish your prayer, and then perform the two prostrations of forgetfulness as described.
Sources
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Sunan Abu Dawud 2:631
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 2, Hadith 631 · Narrated by Abdullah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) once said, "I do not know if I increased or decreased." When he finished the prayer and said the taslim, he was asked if he had done something new in the prayer. He responded, "What is that?" They told him, "You prayed so many rak'ahs." Then he folded his leg and faced the Qiblah, performing two prostrations, and then concluded with the taslim. Afterward, he faced toward us and said, "Had I done anything new in the prayer, I would have informed you, but I am only human and forget like you forget. So if I forget, remind me." He added, "If one of you doubts his prayer, he should seek certainty and complete the prayer, then conclude with taslim, and then perform two prostrations." Another narration includes the instruction: "If one forgets, he should prostrate twice, then turn and prostrate two more times."
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Sunan Ibn Majah 6:417
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 6, Hadith 417 · Narrated by Thawbān
I heard the Messenger of Allah say, "In every case of forgetfulness, two prostrations are to be made after finishing with salam."
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