Losing count is very common for children, and for adults too. Islam gives a clear, simple way to handle it.
The rule
The Prophet ﷺ said that if one of you is unsure how many he has prayed, he should cast aside the doubt, build on what he is sure of, then make two prostrations before saying salam (Sahih Muslim 571).
Explained for a child
- “Was it 2 or 3? Go with 2, the smaller number.”
- “Pray the rest of the prayer as normal.”
- “In the last sitting, before salam, do two extra sajdahs.”
- “Then say salam. Your prayer is complete.”
Scholars differ on some details of sujud as-sahw, so for more complex situations, follow your local masjid’s guidance.
Stop losing count
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Finger fold | Fold one finger of the left hand, resting on the thigh, after each rak’ah |
| Different surah each rak’ah | Al-Kawthar in the 1st, Al-Ikhlas in the 2nd: the surah tells you where you are |
| Pray with a parent | Follow an adult in congregation for the first months |
| Know the numbers | 2-4-4-3-4 for Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha |
Teacher’s tip: tell your child that even the Prophet ﷺ sometimes forgot in prayer, and that is why this rule exists. It takes away the fear of “ruining” the prayer.
Related: How many rak’ahs in each prayer?
