If somebody from the congregation does not follow the imam when the imam performs sajdah as-sahw, is his prayer invalidated?

- If somebody from the congregation does not follow the imam when the imam performs sajdah as-sahw, is his prayer invalidated?
- If somebody from the congregation does not follow the imam knowingly or unknowingly when the imam performs sajdah as-sahw, is the prayer of only the congregation or both the congregation and the imam invalidated?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is obligatory for the congregation to follow the imam in congregational prayers. The Prophet (pbuh) stated the following: “The imam is meant to be followed.” (Bukhari, Salah, 18)

Therefore, when the imam performs sajdah as-sahw if somebody does not perform sajdah as-sahw deliberately, he has to perform that prayer again.   

However, if a person who joins the congregation late stands up to complete his missing rak’ahs when the imam salutes and does not perform sajdah as-sahw together with the imam, he is not regarded to have left the congregation and his prayer is not invalidated. However, he has to perform sajdah as-sahw on his own at the end of the prayer

If somebody from the congregation does perform sajdah as-sahw, the prayer of the imam is not harmed.

Questions on Islam