New Muslim Academy – (NMA)
From Shahadah to Steadfastness — Guided Every Step of the Way
Teacher’s Guide — What Invalidates the Salah and How to Correct Mistakes (with Sujood as-Sahw)
Learning outcomes
- Identify the principal invalidators of Salah with authentic proofs.
- Apply step-by-step corrections for common mistakes during Salah.
- Decide when Sujood as-Sahw is before or after Taslim, based on evidence.
- Cultivate the mindset of hifz as-Salah (guarding the prayer) upon the understanding of the Salaf-us-Saliheen.
Opening reflection 0–3 min
حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ
“Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah with devotion.” (Al-Baqarah 2:238)
Teacher prompt: Why does the verse say “guard” (hafizu) and not merely “perform”? What does guarding look like in practice (purity, presence, pillars)?
Core evidences to anchor the lesson (for slides)
Slide“Pray as you have seen me praying.” — Summary: The Prophet ﷺ commanded precise following of his manner of prayer. Narrated by Mālik ibn al-Ḥuwayrith (or his companions reporting), reported in Sahih al-Bukhari.
SlideThe man who prayed poorly. — Summary: The Prophet ﷺ instructed a man to repeat his prayer for lack of tranquility, then taught the pillars and calmness. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu anhu), reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Main lesson 3–15 min — Principal invalidators of the Salah
| Invalidator | Evidence summary (narrator • source) | Teacher guidance / Classroom action |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of taharah (wudu breaks) |
Condition of purity: Prayer requires wudu; if it is nullified, the prayer does not stand. Doubt principle: If unsure about passing wind, do not leave until certain. Narrated by Abū Hurayrah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. |
Stop, regain wudu, repeat the Salah. Ask: “What if I only doubted it?” — Apply doubt rule above. |
| Intentional speech of people’s speech | The Prophet ﷺ said prayer is not for people’s ordinary talk, but for glorification, takbīr and Qur’an. Narrated by Muʿawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Sulami; reported in Sahih Muslim. | If spoken intentionally, the prayer is invalid. If forgetful/ignorant (as in the hadith), he is taught and the mistake is excused. |
| Eating or drinking | Eating/drinking contradicts the humility and form of Salah established by the Prophet’s practice. The man who prayed poorly was taught to maintain the prescribed pillars and tranquility. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. | Explain decorum of prayer; if done deliberately, repeat the Salah. |
| Excessive unnecessary movement | Tranquility (ṭumaʾninah) is required; excessive movement opposes it and the Prophet’s ﷺ instruction. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (story of the man who prayed poorly); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. | Define “excessive” practically for students (e.g., repeated non-need actions). Coach stillness between pillars. |
| Deliberately omitting a pillar (rukn) | When pillars are missing, prayer is incomplete; the Prophet ﷺ made the man repeat the prayer for missing tranquility and correct sequencing. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. | If deliberate: prayer invalid; repeat. If forgetful: return to the missed pillar once remembered, then continue and make Sujood as-Sahw as applicable. |
| Adding a pillar (e.g., an extra rukuʿ/rakʿah) by mistake | The Prophet ﷺ once ended after two rakʿahs, then completed and made two prostrations of forgetfulness. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Also: forgetting the first tashahhud, the Prophet ﷺ made Sujood as-Sahw. Narrated by ʿAbdullah ibn Buhaynah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. | Teach the classroom rule: if you add by mistake, correct with Sujood as-Sahw (timing explained below). |
| Loud laughter | Contradicts the solemnity of Salah; early scholars held it invalidates the prayer. (This is an adab-based ruling grounded in preserving khushuʿ; apply with caution and teach students reverence.) | Coach self-control and reverence. If it occurs, repeat the prayer. |
Teacher tip: Stress that forgetfulness is common, and the Sunnah provides a mercy-based correction (Sujood as-Sahw). Deliberate invalidators are different from accidental slips.
How to correct mistakes & when to perform Sujood as-Sahw (15–22 min)
| Reason | Timing (before/after Taslim) | Evidence summary (narrator • source) |
|---|---|---|
| Omission of a wajib/sunnah mu’akkadah (e.g., first tashahhud) | Before Taslim | The Prophet ﷺ forgot the first tashahhud and made Sujood as-Sahw before Taslim. Narrated by ʿAbdullah ibn Buhaynah; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. |
| Addition (e.g., extra rakʿah or rukuʿ) | After Taslim (in the case he concluded then corrected) | The Prophet ﷺ stood after two rakʿahs, then completed the prayer and made two prostrations. Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (Dhul-Yadayn incident); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. |
| Doubt: unsure of the count | Before Taslim after acting on what is certain | “If one of you is uncertain about his prayer, let him act upon what is certain and make two prostrations.” Narrated by Abu Saʿid al-Khudri; reported in Sahih Muslim. |
How to perform Sujood as-Sahw (concise steps for slide):
- Complete the portion of Salah you are upon (e.g., tashahhud if applicable).
- Make two prostrations of forgetfulness (sajdatay as-sahw), saying the usual tasbīḥ.
- Return to sitting, complete tashahhud (if due), and conclude with Taslim (or make Taslim then the two prostrations, per the case above).
Interactive practice 22–25 min
- Scenario A: A student forgets the first tashahhud, remembers after standing fully. Class decides: continue; make Sujood as-Sahw before Taslim. Discuss Why before?
- Scenario B: Imam prays 5 rakʿahs by mistake. Class decides: correct and make Sujood as-Sahw (timing per completion case). Discuss Which evidence applies?
- Scenario C: Student doubts 3 or 4. Class decides: build on certainty (3) and make Sujood as-Sahw before Taslim. Link Hadith of Abū Saʿid.
PowerPoint-ready key slides (copy to slides)
SlideGuard the Salah: Purity • Presence • Pillars • Tranquility (ṭumaʾnīnah)
SlideInvalidators: Loss of wudu • Intentional speech • Eating/drinking • Excessive movement • Deliberate pillar omission • Additions by mistake (corrected by Sujood as-Sahw) • Loud laughter
SlideCorrections: If deliberate invalidator → repeat prayer. If forgetful → complete structure, then Sujood as-Sahw according to reason.
SlideSujood as-Sahw Timing: Omission (before Taslim) • Addition (after Taslim in completion case) • Doubt (before Taslim after certainty)
SlideProphetic Model: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Malik ibn al-Ḥuwayrith • Bukhari)
Hadith summaries (for teacher’s notes)
- “Pray as you have seen me praying.” — Narrated by Malik ibn al-Ḥuwayrith (Radiyallahu anhu) and others; reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. Summary: Direct command to imitate the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer in form and sequence.
- The man who prayed poorly. — Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Summary: The Prophet ﷺ had him repeat, then taught calmness and pillars, establishing tranquility as essential.
- Speaking in prayer not allowed. — Narrated by Muʿawiyah ibn al-Ḥakam al-Sulamī (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih Muslim. Summary: Ordinary speech is not part of Salah; the Prophet ﷺ instructed him kindly.
- Dhul-Yadayn incident (addition/completion). — Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Summary: The Prophet ﷺ completed the missed part, then made two prostrations of forgetfulness.
- Forgetting first tashahhud. — Narrated by ʿAbdullah ibn Buhaynah (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Summary: He ﷺ made Sujood as-Sahw before Taslim.
- Doubt in the number of rakʿahs. — Narrated by Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih Muslim. Summary: Build on certainty, then perform two prostrations of forgetfulness.
- Doubt about passing wind. — Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu anhu); reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Summary: Do not leave prayer due to mere doubt until certain (smell/sound); principle safeguards from waswasah.
Salaf-aligned pedagogy: Emphasize following the textual proofs and the Prophet’s ﷺ exact method; avoid speculative additions. Teach mercy-based corrections and reverence in the prayer.