What is the ruling if someone kept praying for three days while he was in the state of Janaba (impurity) without recognizing that he was in that state?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Whosoever does that without recognizing that he is in the state of Janaba is not considered to be sinful. This is supported by the prophetic Hadith which was narrated by Ibn Abbas. The prophet (PBUH) said: “Verily Allah has pardoned [or been lenient with] for me my ummah: their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and that which they have been forced to do under duress.”

However, ancient nations were considered to be sinful once they committed mistakes regardless of the reason behind that sin or mistake, but this nation (Muslims) are free of these restrictions as Allah approved their appealing and request as they requested saying: “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.” Al-Baqara: 286. Moreover, Allah says: “And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake.” Al-Ahzab: 5