Is Your Prayer Valid if You Forget ‘Rabbana Atina’ Before Salam?

Understanding the Role of ‘Rabbana Atina’ in Islamic Prayer Validity

Question: If one forgets to recite “Rabbana atina…” before the concluding Salam in prayer and says Salam, will the prayer be invalid?

Answer: The Prophet (ﷺ) did not instruct us to recite “Rabbana atina…” before concluding the prayer with Salam. Since the Prophet did not command us to read this supplication, if one reads it or omits it, the prayer remains valid as long as the essential supplications are recited in the final Tashahhud. The final Tashahhud includes supplications like Al-Tahiyyat, Durood, and “Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi…,” as well as the prayer seeking protection from four things (Hellfire, grave punishment, life and death trials, and the trial of the Antichrist). “Rabbana atina…” is a Qur’anic supplication but not a part of the final Tashahhud. However, if someone wishes to read it in the final Tashahhud, they may do so, and if they choose not to, it does not affect the validity of the prayer, which remains intact.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah 

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail