Does the prayer of the congregant become void if he performs the prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood al-sahw) after the Imam’s tasleem, assuming the Imam had forgotten due to his sitting for the resting pause (jalsat al-istirāḥah), and then he objects to the Imam for not performing the prostrations of forgetfulness? Is he excused for his ignorance, and is his prayer pardoned?

If the congregant prostrated after concluding the prayer with salutations, their prayer is not invalidated because it was an act performed outside the prayer. They are not required to prostrate again because the Imam sat for a legitimate sitting. If we assume that the Imam made a mistake and sat, then stood up before sitting for the duration of the Tashahhud, some scholars hold that there is no prostration of forgetfulness in this case. If the Imam is not required to perform it, then the congregant is even less required to do so.

However, if the congregant prostrated before concluding the prayer with salutations, some scholars hold that the prayer is not invalidated by an unintentional addition. The Malikis, however, believe that the prayer is invalidated by the addition of a physical pillar, such as prostration or bowing, whether done intentionally or unintentionally.

The congregant should not scold or blame the Imam for this action. The Imam is appointed to be followed, and he is more knowledgeable about what is permissible in prayer. He should be respected and presumed to be correct, and it should be known that the Imam is a human being who forgets and makes mistakes.