The Remedy for Whispering (of Satan) in the Prayer

Question:

When I begin to pray, I am afflicted by a kind of whispering and thoughts, and sometimes I do not know what I have recited, nor how many Rakahs I have prayed. Please tell me what I should do.

Answer:

It is prescribed for the worshipper - man or woman - to approach the prayer with humility towards Allaah and to call to mind that he stands before his Lord, so that Satan will stay away from him and the whispering will be reduced, in implementation of Allaahs Words:

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers with all solemnity and full submissiveness. [1]

If the whispering becomes frequent, it is prescribed to seek refuge with Allaah from Satan, as the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered Uthman bin Abi Al-As, when he informed him that Satan had confused his prayers. And when the worshipper becomes uncertain as to the number of Rakahs he has prayed, he should assume the minimum, base his estimation upon what he is sure of, and then complete his prayer.

Afterwards he performs two prostrations of forgetfulness before making the Taslim, based upon the narration of Abu Said, may Allaah be pleased with him, from the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) in which he said:

 If any of you is in doubt regarding his prayer, and he does not know how much he has prayed, three or four (Rakahs) then let him cast aside doubt and base his estimation upon what he is sure of. Then prostrate twice before making the Taslim, if he has prayed five, his prayer will be an intercessor for him, and if he has completed the prayer correctly, it will be a humiliation for Satan. [2]

And Allaah is the Granter of success.

[1] Al-Muminun 23:1 -2. [2] Muslim no 571.