only al-Fātihah in it and stood up. Thus, he is uncertain whether he omitted the additional surah and the middle sitting, but certain that he made an addition. There is no distinction between being uncertain about an omission and being certain of it. This is how the hadith is explained according to this view, and Ibn al-Mawwāz adopted this approach in his book.

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Certainty that a lapse has occurred differs from doubt about it only in two cases. The first is when someone doubts whether he has made excessive additions to the actions of the prayer: the prostrations of forgetfulness suffice in this case, by agreement, unlike the case of someone who is certain that he has made such additions. The second concerns the distinction between someone who frequently experiences lapses in prayer and someone who frequently doubts whether a lapse has occurred. Someone who frequently experiences lapses must rectify them. The disagreement concerns only whether the prostrations of forgetfulness are obligatory after he has rectified his lapse. Someone who frequently doubts whether a lapse has occurred should disregard these doubts and not act on the basis of certainty.

Two views are reported from Mālik on whether such a person should perform the prostrations of forgetfulness. Muhammad ibn al-Mawwāz held that these were not conflicting opinions: Mālik required the prostrations of forgetfulness only of someone who frequently experiences [doubts about lapses, and therefore disregards them without acting on the basis of certainty; he waived them only for someone who frequently experiences] lapses and rectifies them because he is certain they occurred.

Fadl said: “Ibn al-Mawwāz’s interpretation is far-fetched. The more evident explanation is that these are differing opinions.” He means concerning someone who frequently doubts whether a lapse has occurred. As for someone who frequently experiences lapses and is certain of them, he must, in his view, rectify them and perform the prostrations of forgetfulness. This is contrary to Ibn al-Mawwāz’s interpretation of Mālik’s position as not requiring him to perform these prostrations. These, then, are general principles concerning forgetfulness under which the individual cases fall, Allah willing. Success comes through Allah.

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As for missing the prayer altogether through forgetfulness, it is related “that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, slept in the valley and missed the dawn prayer until the sun had risen. He then prayed after its prescribed time had ended and said: ‘If any one of you sleeps through