there is no evidence in Islamic law for distinguishing between before and after the loss of ritual purity. Rather, he must perform the two prostrations as best he can. And Allah knows best.

Section

Regarding the prostrations prescribed before or after the closing salutation: is this timing obligatory or recommended? There are two views on this within Ahmad’s school and elsewhere.

Many followers of the four imams hold that the disagreement concerns only what is recommended, and that performing the prostrations before or after the closing salutation is permissible in all cases.

The second view is that the prostrations prescribed before the closing salutation must be performed before it, while those prescribed after it must only be performed afterwards. This is what the statements of Ahmad and other imams indicate, and it is the correct view.

In the hadith concerning setting doubt aside, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Let him perform two prostrations before giving the closing salutation.”

Another version reads:

“Before giving the closing salutation; then let him give the salutation.”

In the hadith concerning exercising one’s best judgment, he said:

“Let him determine what is most likely to be correct and proceed on that basis, then perform two prostrations.”

In a version recorded by al-Bukhārī:

“Let him complete his prayer on that basis, then give the closing salutation, then perform two prostrations.”

In the latter, he commanded the closing salutation followed by the prostrations; in the former, he commanded the prostrations before the closing salutation. Both are commands from him, and a command entails obligation.