What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 1248 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)), narrated by It was narrated that 'Abdullah said:, states: ""Whoever has doubt, or is not sure, let him estimate what is correct, then let him prostrate twice.""

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 1248 in the Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#1247

#1248

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#1249

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #1248

The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ مِسْعَرٍ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ مَنْ شَكَّ أَوْ أَوْهَمَ فَلْيَتَحَرَّ الصَّوَابَ ثُمَّ لْيَسْجُدْ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ‏.‏

"Whoever has doubt, or is not sure, let him estimate what is correct, then let him prostrate twice."

Narrated by It was narrated that 'Abdullah said:

Context

This hadith addresses the issue of doubt during prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advises that if a person is uncertain about their prayer, they should strive to find the correct course of action and then perform two prostrations. This guidance emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and clarity in worship, even when faced with uncertainty.

Modern Application

In daily salah, if one feels unsure about the number of rak'ahs performed or any other aspect, they can follow this principle by estimating what they believe to be correct and performing two additional prostrations. This practice helps to maintain the integrity of the prayer experience.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer because it provides specific guidance on how to handle doubt during the act of worship.

Prayer

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ

Al-Israa (The Night Journey)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قُلْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًۭا

Say, "Believe in it or do not believe. Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it - when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration,

سُورَةُ الزُّمَرِ

Az-Zumar (The Groups)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

سُورَةُ الرَّعۡدِ

Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

۩ Sajdah

وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًۭا وَكَرْهًۭا وَظِلَٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْءَاصَالِ ۩

And to Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons.

سُورَةُ الرُّومِ

Ar-Room (The Romans)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُۥ ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ

Whoever disbelieves - upon him is [the consequence of] his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness - they are for themselves preparing,

سُورَةُ يُونُسَ

Yunus (Jonas)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِن كُنتَ فِى شَكٍّۢ مِّمَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ فَسْـَٔلِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَآءَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُمْتَرِينَ

So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.

Common Words

84 total73 unique6 repeated

من6x

ٱلذين3x

قل2x

لا2x

يعلمون2x

فى2x

ءامنوا1x

به1x

أو1x

تؤمنوا1x

إن1x

أوتوا1x

ٱلعلم1x

قبله1x

إذا1x

يتلى1x

عليهم1x

يخرون1x

للأذقان1x

سجدا1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #1248 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer). It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that 'Abdullah said:.

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #1248

Context

Modern Application

Topics

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Common Words

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith