4. Forgetfulness in Prayer

Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Salamaibn Abdar-Rahman ibn Awf from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah,may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you stand inprayer, Shaytan comes to you and confuses you until you do not knowhow much you have prayed. If you find that happening do two sajdasfrom the sitting position." Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that theMessenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Iforget or I am made to forget so that I may establish the sunna." Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that a manquestioned al-Qasim ibn Muhammad saying, "My imagination works in theprayer, and it happens to me a lot." Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad said, "Goon with your prayer, for it will not go away from you until you go awaysaying, 'I have not completed my prayer.' "