Imam of the Hanbalis, in his book of Musnad, has narrated from Makhul
that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said:
“When one of you prays and has doubt in his prayer, then if the doubt is
between one and two, you should consider that unit (rakat) as the first; and if the
doubt is between two and three, you should consider that unit (rakat) at the
second; and if it is between three and four, you should consider that unit (rakat)
at the third, till the doubt in that unit (rakat) may be more; then perform two
prostrations before the salutation (Salam) and then perform the salutation
(Salam).”
Muhammad bin Ishaq says: Husain bin Abdullah asked me: Did he mention
the authorities of this report? No, he replied. Then he said: But he narrated to me
that Karib, the freed slave of Ibne Abbas narrated to him from Ibne Abbas:
“I was in the gathering of Umar, when he asked: O Ibne Abbas, what is the
rule when a worshipper has doubt whether he prayed more or less units in prayer?
I replied: O chief of believers, I have not heard anything about this. Umar said:
By God, I am also ignorant of this.
In the words of Baihaqi, it is mentioned: “No, by God, I didn’t hear anything
from Prophet regarding this and neither did I ask him about it.”
We were discussing this when Abdur Rahman bin Auf came and asked:
“What are you discussing?” Umar replied: “Regarding what should a person do,
when he has doubt about the numbers of units (rakat).” Abdur Rahman said: I
heard the Prophet say as follows:…”
Are you not amazed at the Caliph, who is unaware about doubts in prayers,
whereas it is a common issue and is related to a worship act performed five times
a day. Why the Caliph did not arrange for this issue and did not ask the Prophet
about it, so that if some youth asked him about it, he should not say: I don’t
know? Till Abdur Rahman bin Auf informed him about that.
I don’t know what such a Caliph, who led Muslims in prayer, would do in
case he happened to have doubt in prayer? Naturally such a thing occurs for
everyone. I am amazed at the statement of one, who says that Umar was a
knowledgeable man! This example informs us about the expertise of Umar
regarding Islamic laws. Farewell to the Ummah, whose most knowledgeable
person is as such!
كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا (٥)
“A grievous word it is that comes out of their mouths; they speak nothing but a lie.”1