Elements of Islamic Studies

Lesson 42: Mubtil Doubts that Invalidate the Prayer

Eight kinds of doubts are such that if they occur then the Prayer is rendered invalid. The prayer has to be offered again.

1. Doubt about the number of rak’ats in a two rak’at prayer like Fajr, or qasr of Zuhr, Asr and ‘Isha.
2. Doubt about the number of rak’ats in a three rak’at prayer i.e. Maghrib.
3. Doubt during a four rak’at prayer whether it was the first, the second or the third rak’at.
4. Doubt during a four rak’at prayer before finishing the dhikr of the second sajdah whether it was the second or the third rak’at.
5. Doubt during a four rak’at prayer whether it was the second, the fifth or a higher rak’at.
6. Doubt during a four rak’at prayer whether it was the third, the sixth or a higher rak’at.
7. Doubt during a four rak’at prayer whether it was the fourth, the sixth or a higher rak’at.
8. To forget in a four rak’at prayer the number of rak’ats already prayed.