for him. Thus, if he rises from the first tashahhud without knowing that it is obligatory, his prayer is valid and he need not perform the prostration of forgetfulness, because he did not omit it out of forgetfulness.

It was also said that he must perform the prostration of forgetfulness for omitting an obligatory element out of ignorance, by analogy with forgetfulness, since there is no blame in either case.

The takbirs other than the opening takbir, saying, “Allah hears whoever praises Him,” and praising Allah, …

His statement, “the takbirs other than the opening takbir,” means saying, “Allah is Most Great,” apart from the opening takbir. This is the first obligatory element, for it has previously been stated that the opening takbir is a pillar. This includes the takbir for bowing, prostrating, rising from both of them, and standing up after the first tashahhud. Thus, all the takbirs are obligatory and are waived in the case of forgetfulness, with the following exceptions:

1. The additional takbirs in the Eid prayer and the prayer for rain are sunnah.

2. The takbirs of the funeral prayer are pillars.

3. The takbir for bowing, for one who joins the imam while he is bowing, is sunnah.

The evidence that the takbirs are among the obligatory elements is as follows:

First: The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the imam says the takbir, then say the takbir; and when he says, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ then say, ‘Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.’” (1) This indicates that this remembrance must be said, since a command denotes obligation.

Second: The Prophet ﷺ consistently observed it until he died; not a single day passed in which he omitted the takbir. He said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” (2)