Tashahhud, meaning “declaration”, “testimony of faith”” or “greeting,” is a key part of the Muslim prayer where you kneel or sit facing Mecca. During this time, you praise Almighty Allah (SWT) and send greetings to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all righteous people. After this, you ask for blessings and peace for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is called Salawat.
Importance of Learning Tashahhud Prayer
Learning the Tashahhud dua, also known as Attahiyat, is an important part of performing salah correctly. It is recited twice during supplication after sujood. First after two rakats, and again after three or four rakats.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized that Tashahhud is a vital component of prayer. He taught us how to pray by saying, “Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Al-Bukhari, 631).
Because of this, we should focus on learning how to pray correctly by following his example.
To master Tashahhud dua (Attahiyat), learn it phrase by phrase, repeating each until it’s memorized.
Join our Quran Academy today and learn duas, prayers and fundamentals of Islam in our Islamic Studies Course.
What do you say in Tashahhud?
The Tashahhud prayer is a important part of Salah, and learning it in Arabic is essential for proper recitation.
The Arabic Text of Tashahhud:
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Transliteration of Tashahhud:
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu ‘alaina wa ‘ala ‘ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.
English Translation of Tashahhud:
“All compliments are for Allah and all prayers and all good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.”
During Tashahhud, it is sunnah to raise the index or forefinger while reciting
“wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.” It is recommended to recite Tashahhud silently.
You can recite the Tashahhud anytime, not just during Salah, as a way to remember Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Is Tashahhud Obligatory?
The Tashahhud is highly recommended (wajib) but not obligatory, meaning leaving it out won’t invalidate your prayer. However, including it makes your prayer complete.
A helpful way to memorize the Tashahhud is by writing it down and reading it during prayer until you learn it by heart. With regular practice, you’ll soon have it memorized and feel proud of your achievement.
Hadiths on Tashahhud
Here are some versions of the Tashahhud and blessings on the Prophet (PBUH) that have been passed down from him in the prayer.
Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) recited the Tashahhud as follows:
“At-tahiyyatu Lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu `alayna wa `ala `ibadillah As-salihin. Ash-hadu allaa ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).”
(Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6265 and Muslim, 402)
Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) recited the Tashahhud as follows:
“At-tahiyyatu Lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu `alayna wa `ala `ibadillah As-salihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).”
(Narrated by Abu Dawud, 971 and classed as authentic by Al-Albani)
The Tashahhud of `Umar was recited by him on the pulpit in order to teach the people:
“At-tahiyyatu Lillahi, az-zakiyatu Lillahi, Al-tayyibatu Lillahi, As-salawatu Lillahi. As-salamu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu `alayna wa `ala `ibadillah As-salihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (All compliments are due to Allah, all pure things are due to Allah, all pure words are due to Allah, all prayers are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).”
(Narrated by Malik, 204 and classed as authentic by Al-Albani)
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