his prayer; and if he has prayed a complete four, they will be a humiliation for Satan.” (1)

Moreover, he performed this rakʿah while uncertain whether it was an extra rakʿah or not. Thus, he performed part of his prayer while unsure whether it belonged to it, and he must therefore perform the prostration for forgetfulness.

The evidence and reasoning for this view are strong. It is also supported by a third consideration: precaution.

If he is uncertain whether he omitted a pillar, then it is treated as though he omitted it; but he does not perform the prostration merely because he is uncertain whether he omitted an obligation, …

The second category is uncertainty regarding the omission of pillars, indicated by his statement: “If he is uncertain whether he omitted a pillar, then it is treated as though he omitted it.” That is, if he is uncertain whether he performed a pillar or omitted it, its ruling is that of one who omitted it.

For example, he stands for the second rakʿah and is uncertain whether he prostrated twice or only once. If he has begun the recitation, he does not return; but before beginning it, he returns.

According to the stronger view, he returns in all cases, so long as he has not reached its corresponding position in the following rakʿah. He should return, sit, then prostrate, and then stand, because uncertainty regarding the omission of a pillar is treated as an omission.

Uncertainty regarding the omission of a pillar is treated as an omission because the basic presumption is that it was not performed. Thus, if he is uncertain whether he performed it, but it seems more likely to him that he did perform it, then according to the stronger view—which is to act upon what seems more likely—he is legally regarded as having performed it and should not return. For we have mentioned that if he is uncertain about the number of rakʿahs, he builds upon what seems more likely to him; however, he must perform the prostration for forgetfulness after the salām.

The third category is uncertainty regarding the omission of an obligation, indicated by his statement: