Standing up after the second Sajdah of the fourth Rak'at

Q. An Imam, instead of sitting in the 4th Rak'at after the 2nd Sajdah, stands up and despite the 'lukmahs' he remains standing for a few moments, then he does salaam and repeats Salah. Is this the right procedure? If not, could you explain to us what should have been done in such a case?

R. No, it was not the right procedure. The procedure to be adopted varies depending on the case. Because he missed a Farz, i.e., to sit in the last Rak'at, the Imam should have returned to Qaidah (sitting posture) and complete the Salah. The Sajdah-e-Sahw becomes necessary only if the Imam is closer to the posture of Qiyam (i.e. standing). If it is closer to the sitting posture, there is no need to do the Sajdah-e-Sahw. This procedure applies only in the case where the Imam has not yet made the sajdah for the fifth Rak'at.

Nevertheless, in case he has already made the sajdah for the fifth Rak'at, a completely different procedure must be followed. It should be done in the following way - the Imam, having made a Rak'at, must add another Rak'at to bring the number of Rak'ats to six. These Rak'ats will then be considered as Nafl and the Imam must replace the four Farz Rak'ats by renewing the Salah.

[English version of "Se mettre debout après le 2ème sadjah du 4ème Rak'at" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 3]