The Ruling on One Who is in Doubt over whether He has performed a Prayer or not

Question :

If a person is in doubt about whether he has prayed or not... what should he do, whether the doubt is during the time of the prayer or after it?

Answer:

If a Muslim is in doubt over whether he has performed any one of the obligatory prayers or not, then it is incumbent upon him to perform it as soon as possible, because essentially, the obligation remains, therefore he must do it as soon as possible, based on the words of the Prophet:

"Whoever slept through a prayer or forgot it, must make up for it as soon as he remembers it, and there is no expiation for it except this.

It is an obligation on the Muslim to be very careful with his prayers, and to maintain their performance in congregation, and not to let anything distract him from them, which might cause him to forget them, because the prayer is a pillar of Islam and the most important of obligations after the Shahadatain, and Allah, the Most Glorified says:

O Guard strictly (the five obligatory) Salancat (prayers), especially the middle Salah (i.e. the best prayer - 'Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salah (prayers)].

And He, the Most High says:
And perform As-Salah (Igamatus-Salat) and give Zakah and bow down (or submit yourselves with obedience to Allah) along with those who bow.

And the Prophet said:
"The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer, and its peak is Jihad in Allah's cause."

And he said:
Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying Zakah; fasting the month of Ramadhan and performing Hajj to the House (of Allah).

The Verses and Hadiths which stress the importance of prayer, its obligation, and the duty to maintain it are numerous.