Mistake in Nafal (Supererogatory) Prayers At our mosque, during last 10 days of Ramadan , we were praying Thajjud together led by Imam . This was first time, I ever prayed Nafils in Jamaat . Well any way one night, after two rakkaat nafil, our Imam forgot and stood up instead of offering salam. Even though Jamaat repeatedly indicated him but he didn't sit down so we all finally stood up and continued praying two more rakaat . On top of that our Imam didn't offer sajda sahu , so most of the people got upset but Imam said its not necessary to offer sajda sahu in Nafils . I need your input regarding this matter. Masood Reply Nafal prayers may be offered in four or five rakaats . But if the Imam had initially intended for two rakats but then forgot to finish his prayer after two rakats , and continued to complete four rakats , the rakats shall then be considered as four rather than two. But in such a case I would consider it highly desirable to offer sajdah e sahaw . It should remain quite clear that if sajdah e sahaw has not been offered, it would not mean that there is anything lacking in the prayer itself. It is highly desirable - not obligatory - to offer sajdah e sahaw in such a case. Sajdah e sahaw is primarily an acknowledgement of the fact that if Satan temporarily engaged and thereby deviated our minds from our prayers, we react to by once again prostrating to our Lord - the very act from which satan deviated our minds. With this understanding at the back of our minds, we should try not to be miserly in offering sajdah e sahaw . A correct understanding of sajdah e sahaw inculcates the spirit of offering it for all the mistakes one commits in a prayer without even considering the point that whether such sajdah is obligatory or not. In my opinion, therefore, even though the said Imam's opinion is correct that 'its not necessary to offer sajda sahu in Nafils ', but my preference would have been to offer this sajdah even though it is not obligatory. It should be clearly understood that this does not alter the status of sajdah e sahaw . It simply makes praying (whether nafal or obligatory rakats ) more of a spiritual experience rather than a mere fulfillment of a legal obligation. I hope this helps. In case any aspect of my answer remains unclear, please feel free to write back to me at your convenience. Regards The Learner