Doubt in the Tashahhud

Question

What should I do if I doubt having forgotten the Tashahhud and I am unsure whether I recited it or not?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):

If someone doubts any action of prayer, whether obligatory or voluntary, whether it is a performance of the obligatory prayer or a make-up prayer, or the Friday prayer, or the prayer of signs, and they have entered into something else that should not be entered into according to Islamic law while neglecting the doubtful action intentionally, they should not pay attention to the doubt if it occurs after they have moved on. However, if the doubt arises before entering into another action, they must pay attention to the doubt and perform the action in question, such as if someone doubts the Tashahhud while sitting before rising to stand.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Doubts after the place and what has been performed, M 858

---

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):

If one doubts before rising whether they have recited the Tashahhud or not, they should recite it. However, if the doubt arises while rising, they should not pay attention to the doubt. Similarly, if the doubt occurs after starting the subsequent part, even if it is recommended, they should not pay attention to it.

Source: A Treatise on Prayer and Fasting - Prayer - Doubts in Prayer - Doubt in Parts of Prayer - M 354

May you be successful in all good.