If two trustworthy worshippers say “Subḥān-Allāh” to alert him and he nevertheless persists—without being certain that he is correct—his prayer is invalid, as is the prayer of anyone who knowingly follows him; this does not apply to one who was unaware, forgetful 1, or who disengaged from him.

An action that customarily counts as excessive movement and is unrelated to the acts of prayer invalidates the prayer whether done intentionally or by mistake, and no prostration of forgetfulness is prescribed for a minor version of it. The prayer is not nullified by a small amount of eating or drinking done inadvertently, nor is a voluntary prayer nullified by a small sip taken deliberately.

If he utters a legislated formula in the wrong place—reciting Qur’an while prostrating or sitting, pronouncing the tashahhud while standing, or reciting a surah in the last two rakʿahs—the prayer remains valid; no prostration is obligatory, though it is recommended. Should he give the closing salām before completing the prayer intentionally, it is invalid; if he does so out of forgetfulness and remembers soon after, he completes the prayer and makes the prostration. However, if the interval is considered long by common reckoning, or he speaks for purposes unrelated to the prayer, it is rendered invalid just as if he had spoken during it. Brief speech that serves the interest of the prayer does not invalidate it, and loud laughter carries the same ruling as speech.

If he blows, sobs for other than fear of Allah, or clears his throat without need such that two distinct letters are produced, the prayer is invalid.

Section

Whoever omits a pillar and remembers only after beginning the recitation of the next rakʿah, the rakʿah from which the pillar was omitted is void; if he recalls before that, he must return immediately, perform the missing pillar and what follows it. If he realizes after the final salām, it is as though an entire rakʿah is missing.

If he forgets the first tashahhud and has already risen, he must sit back down so long as he has not fully stood upright.