التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ. وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.
All compliments, prayers, and goodness are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.
At-tahiyyaatu lillaahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu 'alaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. As-salaamu 'alainaa wa 'alaa 'ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-allaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.
When to Read
The Tashahhud is an integral part of the prayer (Salah) for Muslims. It is recited in the sitting position during the second and final rak'ahs of all obligatory prayers, and in the final sitting of voluntary prayers. It's a moment of profound connection, where we directly address Allah and affirm our faith.
How to Read
The Tashahhud is recited in a state of calm and humility, while sitting in the prescribed posture for prayer (usually *tawarruk* in the final sitting). It's recited with clear enunciation, reflecting on the profound meanings of the words. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us how to recite it, and his teachings guide our practice. We begin by praising Allah, then send peace upon the Prophet ﷺ, then upon ourselves and all righteous servants, before testifying to the Oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. Some narrations mention raising the index finger slightly while reciting 'Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-allaah' as a sign of tawheed (Oneness of Allah).
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting the Tashahhud is an act of worship that holds immense significance. It's a direct fulfillment of Allah's command to remember Him in prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When you recite it (Tashahhud), you have indeed completed your prayer. If you have prayed four rak'ahs, say it in the last two; if you prayed two rak'ahs, say it in the last one.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6301). More importantly, it is the very formula of our testimony of faith and a declaration of our devotion to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. It serves as a constant reminder of our purpose and our connection to the Divine.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): We used to say during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ), 'Greetings be to Allah from His slaves, greetings be to him (Allah) from His slaves, greetings be to him (Allah) from His slaves.' One day Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said to us, 'Allah Himself is 'At-Tahiyyat' (All compliments, greetings, etc.). So when any one of you sits for prayer, he should say: 'At-tahiyyaatu lillaahi was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu 'alaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. As-salaamu 'alainaa wa 'alaa 'ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-allaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.' (All compliments, prayers, and goodness are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.)' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)