Changing the order of Surahs in Salah - Do i have to make Sajdah Sahw?

Wa Alaykumus Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Respected Sister in Islam ,

At the outset we apologise for the delayed response .

It is Wajib (compulsory) to follow the forward order of reciting Surahs in a Fardh and Witr Salah. If, for example, one has recited Surah Feel in the first Rakat of Fardh Salaah, he may recite Surah Quraysh or any Surah that comes after Surah Kauthar in the second Rakat . It will be incorrect and Makruh to recite Surah Al Asr, which is a Surah before Surah Feel , in the second Rakat as this will be going backwards and not reciting in the forward order.

However, if one recited Surahs in the backward order in Fardh Salaah, Sajda Sahw does not become compulsory.

Whilst it is advisable to maintain the forward order of reciting Surahs of the Quraan even in Sunnah and and Nafl Salaats , it is not Makruh to recite the Surahs in any order forwards or backwards , in Sunnah and Nafl Salaats. [] [] . One should also keep in mind that reading two Surahs whilst omitting a short Surah between them is also Makruh and should be avoided .[ ]

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

Ebrahim Ibn Ahmed Dadan

Student Darul Iftaa
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

(2020-07-08)